Got out yesterday lunchtime for the first time this week (Been too busy with snow related stuff on Monday and Tuesday ...), so decided to just go for a walk and see where I ended up. I ended up at St Michael Paternoster Royal, which is next to one of the only bits of grass near my office.
I thought it rather vague ... "Near this spot ...", well where then? Was it what is now an expensive shoe shop, or was it the video game shop where he was born? I did think whilst walking away that we could put a plaque up saying 'Near to this spot, man first stepped on the moon', as after all you can see the moon from there ...
St Michael's is a church in the City of London associated with the historical Dick Whittingdon. First recorded in the 13th century, St Michael’s was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren. St Michael’s was severely damaged by German Bombers during the London Blitz of the World War 2 and was restored in 1966 – 8.
It is very impressive inside, but it's not what I was looking for ... I'm interested in the history of the churches around me and seeing all the original features, but this church was rebuilt in the mid 60's, and the fittings (Panelling, pews, flooring) all date from that period. (And the pews are very uncomfortable). The candelabra does date from 1644 (And to continue a theme my American friends, yes, we have candles older than your country!), but turns out came from another church, so even that isn't original. Even the stained glass windows are from the 60s', and to be honest seem more dated than those from 100's of years ago.
They're impressive though ...
Last night I had a look at a website I had found listing the 56 churches in London, and to be honest I'm going to skip the majority of them. Most were severely damaged in World War 2 ("By the enemies of the King" as one church so nicely puts it!) and when rebuilt embraced more of the architectural designs from the 1950's and 1960's than those of Sir Christopher Wren. There a couple I will go and look at, which either have been restored to former glories or were missed by the enemies of the King - so that's something for you to look forward to ...
Heading back to work I saw this sign:
I thought it rather vague ... "Near this spot ...", well where then? Was it what is now an expensive shoe shop, or was it the video game shop where he was born? I did think whilst walking away that we could put a plaque up saying 'Near to this spot, man first stepped on the moon', as after all you can see the moon from there ... 
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