Growing up as a Protestant in America, I saw churches as mere buildings, places where believers (the true church) gathered to worship. After spending several years in Anglican-style churches, I can now appreciate how some believers make their “gathering-places” into sacred spaces by filling them with artwork that both instructs and inspires. But visiting a church that is the “official church of the state” is still a new experience for me.
Nor did I appreciate, at first, how unique Westminster Abbey is. Unlike other churches and cathedrals, it is classified as a royal peculiar and therefore under the direct oversight of the Sovereign rather than a church leader such as a bishop. How this affects its daily operation, and whether priests there are more constrained in what they can preach, I do not know. But one thing is certain. Without a doubt, it is the most secular church I have ever visited.
As I mentioned earlier, statues of national leaders tower above worshipers in at least one area, and statesmen, military leaders, and people of science are buried there. The latter category even includes Charles Darwin, whose teachings many believers regard as anathema. Nor is official remembrance limited to those who contributed to the state in a pragmatic, quantifiable manner: literary giants such as Charles Dickens, John Milton, and Jane Austen are memorialized in the Abbey’s Poet’s Corner.
Most Church of England cathedrals and churches either charge admission, or have signs and docents stressing their desperate financial need. Whether Westminster Abbey is cash-poor, or a rich source of income for the crown, I cannot say. I was surprised to discover that key scenes from movies that inspired me to visit her, such as “Johnny English” and “The King’s Speech,” were filmed elsewhere. But having seen what a popular destination this is, I can understand why the Queen would not wish to turn away tourists who traveled across borders, time zones, or oceans to visit this uniquely secular-and-sacred place.
Having glimpsed some of her delights, I yearn to explore Westminster Abbey further. While it might prove difficult to enjoy any area of it in solitude or undisturbed reflection, I can imagine spending hours happily delving into the wealth of history on offer. But at the equivalent of twenty-five dollars for admission (more for a guided tour), with so many other must-visit sites and lower-cost museums in London, and with my time in this bustling city so terribly, terribly short, I fear that such a pleasure will have to wait for another visit.
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| Westminster Abbey as a fish might see it. |
Nor did I appreciate, at first, how unique Westminster Abbey is. Unlike other churches and cathedrals, it is classified as a royal peculiar and therefore under the direct oversight of the Sovereign rather than a church leader such as a bishop. How this affects its daily operation, and whether priests there are more constrained in what they can preach, I do not know. But one thing is certain. Without a doubt, it is the most secular church I have ever visited.
As I mentioned earlier, statues of national leaders tower above worshipers in at least one area, and statesmen, military leaders, and people of science are buried there. The latter category even includes Charles Darwin, whose teachings many believers regard as anathema. Nor is official remembrance limited to those who contributed to the state in a pragmatic, quantifiable manner: literary giants such as Charles Dickens, John Milton, and Jane Austen are memorialized in the Abbey’s Poet’s Corner.
Most Church of England cathedrals and churches either charge admission, or have signs and docents stressing their desperate financial need. Whether Westminster Abbey is cash-poor, or a rich source of income for the crown, I cannot say. I was surprised to discover that key scenes from movies that inspired me to visit her, such as “Johnny English” and “The King’s Speech,” were filmed elsewhere. But having seen what a popular destination this is, I can understand why the Queen would not wish to turn away tourists who traveled across borders, time zones, or oceans to visit this uniquely secular-and-sacred place.
Having glimpsed some of her delights, I yearn to explore Westminster Abbey further. While it might prove difficult to enjoy any area of it in solitude or undisturbed reflection, I can imagine spending hours happily delving into the wealth of history on offer. But at the equivalent of twenty-five dollars for admission (more for a guided tour), with so many other must-visit sites and lower-cost museums in London, and with my time in this bustling city so terribly, terribly short, I fear that such a pleasure will have to wait for another visit.
My Unworthy Tribute to Westminster Abbey
Guarded by priests, and
Ruled by a queen;
Adorned in splendor, yet
“No photography, please!”
Peculiar and religious,
Expensive yet free;
Everyone should visit,
Westminster Abbey.
Guarded by priests, and
Ruled by a queen;
Adorned in splendor, yet
“No photography, please!”
Peculiar and religious,
Expensive yet free;
Everyone should visit,
Westminster Abbey.
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