Father Peter Newby, Rector of St Mary Moorfields, led our guests on a short walk around Catholic London which took in the location of his church's predecessor, the first cathedral built after the Restoration of the Hierarchy. The site was later sold and the proceeds paid for the building of Westminster Cathedral. We then moved to view one of the few remaining pieces of London Wall, built by the Romans. The original Roman work can be seen at the bottom of the present wall outside All Hallows Church.
Negotiating one of the many very narrow side streets of the City the group arrived at the site of the former Augustinian friary in Austin Friars where the Netherlandse Kerk now stands.
Moving on again we arrived at the Blue Plaque recording the birthplace of John Henry Cardinal Newman in Old Broad Street. As Fr Newby pointed out, the London into which he was born was transformed into a very different City by the time of his death in Birmingham.
The Bank of England and the Royal Exchange were next to be viewed before a stroll back to the Church with glimpses of the 'Gherkin' and the Stock Exchange building on the way.
It had been planned to have afternoon tea in the Church Hall, but access down the stairs proved impossible for the wheelchairs and Father kindly put the Sacristy at the disposal of the party, with all the helpers assisting in bringing the tea things up from down below in a relay of efficiency.
Many thanks to Fr Newby for his interesting talks en route and the hospitality at the Church. Click photos to enlarge.
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| Site of the Pro-Cathedral of old St Mary Moorfields near Finsbury Circus |
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| The Roman masonry at All Hallows London Wall |
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| The visitors enjoying the talk at Austin Friars |
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| Pilgrimage to the soon-to-be-Beatus' birthplace in Old Broad Street |
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| Afternoon tea in the Sacristy at St Mary Moorfields! |
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