A huge thank you to everyone who joined us this Holy Week and Easter – the first time in many years that we have been able to offer all these services in person.
Founded in 1050, St Olave Hart Street is dedicated to a Viking warrior who became King of Norway and a saint remembered for healing miracles. The church survived the Great Fire but was destroyed during the Blitz and lovingly restored — the building as well as its people are a sign of resurrection and new life.
Our striking east window shows Christ both in his Passion, suffering on the cross, and in glory, the cross shining behind him — holding together the holy tension at the heart of Easter: that through Christ’s death comes the promise of resurrection and new life for the whole world.
Some pictures of our celebrations are below:
Sunday 29th March 2026 – Palm Sunday Holy Communion & Procession
The blessing of palms, procession and the singing of the Passion Gospel by our professional choir.
Tuesday 31st March 2026 – Come & Sing Stainer’s “Crucifixion”
This year we revived a tradition of performing a sung setting of the Passion of Christ. Thanks to The Hanover Choir and the St Olave Singers who rehearse here for singing and to everyone else who ‘Came and Sang’ Sir John Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” on Tuesday of Holy Week.
Thursday 2nd April 2026 – The Maundy Thursday Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper with stripping of the altar and watch
We recalled the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before his arrest and trial, and his commandment to them to love one another. The service was followed by the stripping of the altars and silent prayer in our ‘garden of the watch’ in the Crypt Chapel.
Friday 3rd April 2026 – Good Friday Liturgy
We gathered on the day Jesus died on the cross to hear solemn reflections by our Lay Minister, Dr Jim Harris.
Saturday 4th April 2026 – The Great Vigil and the First Communion of Easter
Our liturgy took us from darkness to light: the lighting of the Easter fire, blessing of the Paschal Candle, the Vigil readings recalling the story of our salvation, the renewal of baptismal vows and the first Holy Communion of Easter. Thank you to everyone who helped in so many ways.
Sunday 5th April 2026 – Festal Holy Communion for Easter Day
We celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with joyful worship and glorious choral music by an eight part choir and more beautiful music after the service from our wonderful bellringers.
