Pear Tree Church
Southampton, Hampshire
Pear Tree Church in the ocean city of Southampton is the oldest Anglican church in the world, being the first church built and consecrated after the Reformation.
The original 12th century church stood further out into the High Street. It was dismantled and moved back in 1320 to its present site. The Crusaders and men leaving for Crecy and Agincourt would all have prayed here before departing.
In 1554 Philip of Spain prayed here on route to Winchester Cathedral where he married Queen Mary. He also brought in the new custom of exchanging gold rings.
The date of the Quarter Jacks who strike every quarter of an hour is unknown but they were mentioned in 1760 and said to be already old.
Richard Taunton’s tomb is at the rear of the church. The nave has a gravestone to John Speed, descendent of the great Elizabethan map maker of the same name. The ten commandments are carved on the end wall and state that we should commit no murder rather than the more commonly used ‘Thou shalt not kill’.
Just inside the church you will find one of Southampton’s Titanic memorials. This one is the Titanic Memorial Fountain, which is dedicated to the firemen, stewards and crew from Southampton. It was paid for by the families and friends of the crew.