7/17 "Our Own Church", St Olave's Church, The Church of Diarist Samuel Pepys

Samuel Pepys was a young man who is known for beginning a diary in 1660, where in code, he describes the goings-on of his life and his observations of London during the Plague, the murder of Charles I, and the Reformation, the Great Fire of London, and the Restoration of James II to the throne.  He kept up daily postings for 10 years, which makes his diary one of the best documents describing daily life in those distant years.  He also wrote about his amorous affairs, financial concerns, and personal weaknesses, all of which makes his diary very readable. 

He worked his way to become the  Chief Secretary of the Admiralty under both Charles II and James II in London.  Part of this career rise was due to his reforms in purchasing and administration of the Royal Navy.  He also was instrumental in getting the Navy sailors to help in blowing up wooden buildings to stop the Great Fire.  

At the age of 22, Pepys married 14-year-old Elizabeth de St Michel.  Unfortunately, they never had any children, probably due to his operation in 1658 to remove a very large bladder stone, which likely made him sterile.  

Pepys and wife lived just down the road on Seething Lane, which is currently a tiny street in an area of huge skyscrapers which would have certainly amazed Pepys, however, the church he and his wife attended still stands, no doubt partially due to his efforts in the London Fire.  Pepys and his wife, Elizabeth are buried under the alter of this church, and there are memorials to both of them.  

This small church has been here since at least the 13th Century, and possibly earlier, though it was rebuilt twice, so that the current building is from about 1450.  Here are some photos of St. Olave's, their "Own Church."

 

 

Notice the signs on the church indicate it is on the corner of Seething Lane and Hart Street.   

As you can see, it is still a functioning church, and visitors are welcome. 

 

The inside of the church.  When i was there, there were several employees and/pr parishioners moving some things in preparation for the next day, which was St. Olave's Day. 

This is the memorial for Elizabeth Pepys.  She is said to be looking directly at the pew owned by the Navy, where she and her husband usually sat.  She died a couple of years before him and is supposedly keeping an eye on him!   

 

 

Can anyone translate Latin? 

And the memorial for Samuel Pepys:  

 

Some views of the church. 

 

 

This photo shows the insignia of the Navy Pew where Pepys sat every Sunday.    

I had visited this church before, but this time there were people there who suggested I could go into the crypt below the church to see the remains of previous versions of the church down there.  Here is the small and very narrow staircase going downstairs. 

 

 

 

 

At the bottom of the stairs was a tiny chapel.  This shows the back of the chapel. 

 

 

This case shows items from the 13th and 14th Centuries found when the church was rebuilt.  

Here is the staircase I came down to get here.  

And the front of the chapel.  

Behind the church is a small garden with some benches and a few ancient graves.  I noticed several people from nearby offices using it as a quiet place during the workday.

 

 

 

These notices were on the back entrance gate, which is nearly always left open.