St Etheldreda's
14 Ely Place
London
EC1N 6RY
T: 020 7405 1061
W: www.stetheldreda.com/home.html
Visitor Information
Masses:
9am, 11am Sun (Sung Latin)
1pm Mon-Fri
Holy Days of Obligation: 12.10 pm,
1 pm, 6 pm (sung Latin)
First Friday:
Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form 6pm
Confessions:
Monday to Friday: 1.20pm and at Call
By the 1800s the condition of St Etheldreda's had deteriorate so badly that restoration was necessary and following the restoration works, on June 23rd 1878 Solemn High Mass was celebrated for the first time for over 200 years.
The Upper Church was then restored with all the splendour intended by its medieval builders. The balconies and other 18th century additions were removed. The plaster ceiling was brought down, amid what was described as "inconceivable filth", to reveal the original medieval roof surviving virtually intact; and the 13th century design still enthrals modern architects.
Layers of plaster were scraped away in the interior to reveal delicate sculptures and mouldings.
John Francis Bentley, the architect of Westminster Cathedral, designed the magnificent choir screen with its wrought iron grilles and gate. The screen incorporates a confessional, an organ and a choir gallery.
During the Blitz, St Etheldreda's sustained bomb damage to it's ancient Chapel, and seven years were needed to repair it. The great East window made by Joseph Edward (Eddie) NUTTGENS and completed in 1952 reflects all the original medieval splendour.
There is also the scene of the Last Supper and high in the main traceries are the nine choirs of angels, breathtaking in their magnificence.