Description
St Etheldreda's is a small medieval chapel tucked into Ely Place, off Charterhouse Street in Holborn: built around 1284 for the Bishops of Ely, it is one of only two buildings left in London from the reign of Edward I, and a Catholic church again since 1878.
It has two levels, like the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. The larger upper church is Gothic, with early tracery, a colorful east window of 1952 and statues of Catholic martyrs from the Tudor age along the walls. Below lies the crypt. A relic of Saint Etheldreda's hand is kept in a jeweled casket beside the altar.
The chapel has lived many lives. Under Elizabeth I its crypt served as a tavern. In 1620 it became the Spanish ambassador's chapel, counted as Spanish soil, where Catholics could worship when it was still illegal.
Saint Etheldreda was invoked against throat ailments, so every year the church holds a Blessing of the Throats.
It has two levels, like the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. The larger upper church is Gothic, with early tracery, a colorful east window of 1952 and statues of Catholic martyrs from the Tudor age along the walls. Below lies the crypt. A relic of Saint Etheldreda's hand is kept in a jeweled casket beside the altar.
The chapel has lived many lives. Under Elizabeth I its crypt served as a tavern. In 1620 it became the Spanish ambassador's chapel, counted as Spanish soil, where Catholics could worship when it was still illegal.
Saint Etheldreda was invoked against throat ailments, so every year the church holds a Blessing of the Throats.