Westminster Abbey - London, UK
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 51° 29.977 W 000° 07.732
30U E 699276 N 5709295
Westminster Abbey, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, was constructed between 1045 to circa 1517. The architect is unknown.
Waymark Code: WME125
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/19/2012
Views: 50
An Abbey has been at this site reportedly since the 7th century. Construction of the current structure began in 1245 with the Church being in continous use even though it was essentially completed in 1517.
Wikipedia (
visit link) informs us:
"The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English, later British and later still (and currently) monarchs of the Commonwealth realms. The abbey is a Royal Peculiar and briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1540 to 1550.
Westminster Abbey is a collegiate church governed by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, as established by Royal charter of Queen Elizabeth I in 1560, which created it as the Collegiate Church of St Peter Westminster and a Royal Peculiar under the personal jurisdiction of the Sovereign. The members of the Chapter are the Dean and four residentiary canons, assisted by the Receiver General and Chapter Clerk. One of the canons is also Rector of St Margaret's Church, Westminster, and often holds also the post of Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. In addition to the Dean and canons, there are at present two full-time minor canons, one precentor, the other succentor. The office of Priest Vicar was created in the 1970s for those who assist the minor canons. Together with the clergy and Receiver General and Chapter Clerk, various lay officers constitute the college, including the Organist and Master of the Choristers, the Registrar, the Auditor, the Legal Secretary, the Surveyor of the Fabric, the Head Master of the Choir School, the Keeper of the Muniments and the Clerk of the Works, as well as 12 lay vicars, 10 choristers and the High Steward and High Bailiff. There are also 40 Queen's Scholars who are pupils at Westminster School (the School has its own Governing Body). Those who are most directly concerned with liturgical and ceremonial matters are the two minor canons and the organist and Master of the Choristers."
Service Times:
Sundays
8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)
10.00am Choral Matins
11.15am Sung Eucharist
3.00pm Choral Evensong
5.45pm Organ Recital
6.30pm Evening Service
Weekdays
7.30am Matins (9.00am Saturday and Bank Holidays)
8.00am Holy Communion
12.30pm Holy Communion
5.00pm Choral Evensong (3.00 pm Saturday only (5.00 pm June - September). Evening Prayer on Wednesdays)