The Abbey

The white tower with a flag on top is Westminster Abbey.

This is Westminster Abbey, an Anglican Church, not to be confused with Westminster Cathedral (pictured below) which is Roman Catholic.

Westminster Cathedral

We attended a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey. No photography was allowed. Other than a few word changes to the Apostle's Creed, there was absolutely no difference in it and every other Catholic mass I've attended - and I've attended quite a few.

The Abbey was first founded around 624 and a stone building was erected on the site around 1045. Henry III rebuilt it between 1245 and the work continued until 1517. Henry VIII assumed control of the Abbey in 1539 and granted the Abbey cathedral status in 1540. It was only a cathedral for ten years. Interestingly, the expression "robbing Peter to pay Paul" may have originated here when money meant for the Abbey (which was dedicated to St. Peter) was used to support nearby St. Paul's Cathedral.

There are several of these corridors which also serve as burial sites.

It was at Westminster Abbey that the first 3rd of the King James Bible Old Testament and the last half of the New Testament were translated. The New English Bible was also put together here in the 20th century.

In the final comments from the priest at the Christmas service, he noted some important events during the year 2010 including a visit from Pope Benedict XVI who incidentally is the first pope to set foot in Westminster Abbey.

There have been a number of royal wedding, coronations, and burials at Westminster Abbey. Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton, among many others, are buried there. Princess Diana and Prince Charles did not marry here (I thought they did too), but you won't be surprised to learn that on April 29, 2011, there will be another royal wedding at Westminster Abbey.