Some of you know Pastor Keith’s many talents include conducting historical tours of London.
These always involve a big slice of Christian history so when Kayley requested a London Walk while in the UK, I made sure I took advantage and went along. A small group of us representing North and South America, China and the UK met outside Westminster Abbey.
Keith explained the origin of the name Westminster and how Edward the Confessor started the project before the 1066 Norman Conquest. Edward is buried in the Abbey along with many other royals and notable people, such as Isaac Newton, the great scientist, and explorer David Livingstone, who was also a missionary.
We saw the magnificent front of the Abbey with its many carved figures, including some from recent times, notably Martin Luther King Jnr. Then on to Westminster School, a public school in existence from the early 14th century, where many famous people from politics, literature and the arts were educated, including Charles Wesley, the great hymn-writer brother of John Wesley, founder of Methodism.
Next, to the Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament, to hear of its fortunes over the centuries. Notably the two fires that destroyed parts of the building in the 16th and 19th centuries.
We also saw the statue of Oliver Cromwell, directly opposite a bust of King Charles I, recalling how they were on opposite sides in the 17th century civil war. Moreover, next stop was the Banqueting House in Whitehall where King Charles was beheaded. You can still see the outlines of the windows on the outside of the building.
Continuing down Whitehall, passing the Cenotaph and the entrance to Downing Street, we made our final stop. In a large garden stands a statue of William Tyndale, who translated the New Testament into English during the 16th century Reformation. Little is known about him, but after fleeing England, he was arrested in Vilvoorde, outside Brussels, tried and burnt at the stake. We Christians owe so much to him and those like him.
We then took the short walk to Trafalgar Square and went our separate ways after a wonderful afternoon together. Hopefully, Keith is organising another one, which I would highly recommend going on if you can.
By Henry Ford
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