The Watts Church Crawl (Part the tenth) Edgware Road

Lots of history at the Edgware Road: it is one of the oldest tube stations, having been opened in 1863. There is a second station, which is a few minutes walk away, called by the same name, which is on the Bakerloo line.
The first ever tube journey, stopping at Edgware Road. Note distinctive District/circle line arches in the background
It was also the site of one of the London bombings in July 2007.
Bombed carriage
Our Lady of the Rosary

A lovely church, “evocative of a certain era”, very liturgical movement. The light fittings especially are rather fun, and the images between the tall thin lancet type windows, of the mysteries of the Rosary, are interesting.

 

High Altar: note the mysteries between the lancets and the handsome baldachino

 

St. Mary’s Hospital

Hospitals are places which, for some reason, people are never inclined to linger around. However, for a dramatic mix of styles, St. Mary’s well repays lingering. It is an historic place, founded in 1845: Fleming worked and discovered penicillin here, and there are several other well known medical names who were involved here, including diacetylmorphine in 1874.

Fleming’s laboratory, restored to it’s 1928 condition

 

It has also been the home to royal births since Alexander Windsor, the Earl of Ulster in 1974. The most recent birth was of course Prince George of Cambridge, earlier this year.

The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, leaving St. Mary’s with Prince George

 

There is also a museum on the life of Fleming, which includes his laboratory, restored to its original condition, where, in 1928, he discovered the health giving properties of penicillin. Worth a look: there are also several other medically themed museums dotted around London, which would repay a visit, if your fancy took you that way.

 

 

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