St Bartholomew-the-Less, City of London, Anglican chapel in St Bartholomew's Hospital, City of London, England
St Bartholomew-the-Less is a chapel with an octagonal form built within the hospital grounds in a square structure. Inside, visitors see stone walls, an iron ceiling, tall arched windows, and a Gothic vault that crowns the space.
The chapel was originally founded in 1123 as the Chapel of the Holy Cross before being moved to its current location in 1184. This relocation placed it within the hospital grounds as both a spiritual and medical institution developed together.
The chapel serves as a gathering place for people of different Christian traditions within the hospital community. Visitors can observe how the space welcomes both Anglican and Catholic worshippers, making it a site where different faiths coexist.
The chapel is located at 57A West Smithfield and remains open throughout the day for visitors. It is worth noting that religious services take place on specific days, so arriving early or checking ahead helps avoid interruptions.
Three medieval bells hang in the chapel tower, with two of them cast in 1380 and 1420. These ancient bells still ring today, connecting visitors across centuries to the chapel's continuous role as a timekeeper.
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