St Bartholomew the Great is a medieval church in Smithfield, near Barbican, with a history reaching back to its foundation in 1123. Inside, Norman arches, stone pillars, high ceilings and stained glass give the church a sense of age and quiet. Look for the tomb of Rahere, who founded it, and the artwork, including Damien Hirst’s sculpture of St Bartholomew. The church has also appeared in films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral. It is a calm stop for architecture, history and a pause from the City’s busy streets.
Founded by Rahere
The church was established in 1123 by Rahere, a courtier of Henry I. He founded an Augustinian priory after a religious vision, and his tomb is inside the church. The building has remained a place of worship through centuries of change in London.
The church was partly affected by the Great Fire of 1666. Its age and layers of alteration are visible in the building, which has retained medieval fabric alongside later architectural details.
Norman stonework and film locations
The church is known for its Romanesque, or Norman, architecture. Rounded arches and substantial stone pillars shape the interior; the choir and apse are among the notable parts of the building. The interior also includes stained glass and artworks, including Damien Hirst’s sculpture of St Bartholomew, titled Exquisite Pain.
Its distinctive interior has served as a setting for films including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love and The Other Boleyn Girl. Benjamin Franklin worked as a typesetter in the church’s printing house in 1720, another connection to the site’s history.
Perguntas frequentes
When was St Bartholomew the Great founded?
The church was founded in 1123 by Rahere, a courtier of Henry I.
What is there to see inside St Bartholomew the Great?
Look for the Norman arches and pillars, the choir and apse, stained glass, Rahere’s tomb and artworks including Damien Hirst’s Exquisite Pain.
Which films were shot at St Bartholomew the Great?
The church has appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love and The Other Boleyn Girl.
