Some facts about Erkenwald of London

There are four memorial days for Saint Erkenwald, but usually 30th April - the day he died - is recognised as the feast day for the Saint our church is named after.

Erkenwald, also known as Erconwald, belonged to a noble East Anglian family. With his wealth he founded a monastery in Chertsey and a convent in Barking. Erkenwald was abbot of the Chertsey monastery and his sister, Ethelburga, was Abbess of the convent at Barking.

He became Bishop of London in 675 and remained so for 11 years. The poor chap suffered from severe gout, but continually travelled through his diocese. He used a small chariot to get around - this is depicted in stonework above our Church front door.

He eventually retired to the convent in Barking, where he died on 30th April 690. He was buried in St. Paul’s and his shrine became a place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.

The people of London were said to be devoted to Erkenwald and they called him “The Light of London”