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Chelsea Old Church, also known
as All Saints, dates from 1157.
Henry VIII is said to have married
his third wife Jane Seymour in this ancient church, soon after
the execution of Anne Boleyn, and before their state wedding.
Severely damaged during World
War II and rebuilt after 1945, the square-towered church does
not look old from the outside. However, a glance at
early prints reveals that the church is a carefully built
replica of the medieval church destroyed in the Blitz.
Although somewhat cluttered,
the interior of Chelsea Old Church has some interesting features.
The south chapel was built by Sir Thomas More in 1528
for his own private worship. More's latin inscription
here asks that he may be buried next to his wife. Other
Tudor memorials include a chapel built in memory of Sir Thomas
Lawrence, an Elizabethan merchant.
Eminent local families also represented
here. A 17th century monument marks the resting place
of Lady Jane Cheyne, whose husband gave his name to Cheyne
Walk. The American novelist Henry James
(1843 - 1916) mostly lived in England and has a memorial at
Chelsea Old Church.
The church contains the only
chained books in a London church. These were given by
Sir Hans Sloane, whose monument can be seen in the churchyard.
In the garden outside the church
is a statue of Sir Thomas More, who sits looking out over
the Thames.
Admission free
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Sloane Square