St Saviour's church became Southwark Cathedral in 1905. In 1106 the church was 're-founded' by two Norman knights as a priory. The Augustinians created a hospital alongside the church, the direct predecessor of today's St Thomas's Hospital opposite the Houses of Parliament and originally named in honour of St Thomas a Becket. The diocese which it serves stretches from the Thames to Gatwick Airport, from Thamesmead in the east almost to Thames Ditton in the west. It has a population of two and a half million people, served by over 300 parishes.
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA
The present St Paul's is the fifth cathedral to have stood on the site since 604, and was built between 1675 and 1710, after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. This was the first cathedral to be built after the English Reformation in the sixteenth century, when Henry VIII removed the Church of England from the jurisdiction of the Pope and the Crown took control of the Church's life. Features include the Whispering Gallery. The Crypt contains the tombs of Admiral Lord Nelson, Duke of Wellington and also Sir Christopher Wren.
The Abbey was founded by Edward the Confessor and consecrated in 1065. Every king and queen of England since William the Conqueror has been crowned here with the exception of both Edward V and Edward VIII and many are buried here too. The abbey also holds the Coronation throne as well as monuments and plaques that help you to remember Britain's past such as tributes to Britain's armed forces. The abbey also holds many famous peoples death masks including Henry VII's.
