St. Bartholomew the Great (London)
St. Bartholomew the Great is one of the most historic churches in the City of London.
It is situated in Cloth Fair, with the main entrance leading off Smithfield.
Originally a priory, it was founded in 1123 by Rahere, court jester to Henry I, along with the neighbouring St. Bartholomew`s Hospital.
The entrance is a Tudor timber framed gateway,leading into the churchyard, which was originally the nave. This was demolished during Henry VIII`s Dissolution of the Monasteries, but the chancel and choir were left as the parish church.
The tower dates from the 17th century, and there has been much restoration in the church.
There is, however, a great deal of original Norman stonework in this extremely atmospheric building.
St. Bartholomew the Great was one of the settings for the popular film "Four Weddings and a Funeral".