Talking about holidays and travel someone mentioned London’s St Pancras Station. We asked, ‘Who was St Pancras?’ Mr Google told us…
St Pancras: Pancras was a Roman citizen, born around 289. His parents died when he was young. Brought up by his uncle, he converted to Christianity. Offered wealth and power if he renounced his faith he refused. Fourteen-year-old Pancras was beheaded. St Pancras is the patron saint of children, jobs and health…
The station, built by St Pancras’ church, sent me into a rambling/reading reflection on other London train stations and our Christian Heritage…
Marylebone: A medieval church dedicated to St Mary, the mother of Jesus, was built by a stream – St Mary-by-the-bourne (little stream). Seventeenth century French influence created ‘Mary-le-bourne’. Today it’s Marylebone. Mary is the patron saint of mothers, pregnancy, motherhood…
Fenchurch Street: ‘Fenchurch’ means ‘church in the fenny or marshy ground’, referring to St Gabriel’s church in Fenchurch. The angel Gabriel was God’s messenger, the bearer of truth-bearing news. Gabriel’s the patron saint of messengers, communicators, communications workers…
Paddington: St Paddington is the well-known saint, well-referenced in literature, sometimes depicted as a teddy bear, who’s the patron saint of refugees, marmalade sandwiches and misadventures…
King’s Cross: Was there a grumpy monarch of whom it was said, ‘the King’s Cross’? Is the king’s burden of responsibility the King’s Cross he has to bear? A monument ‘King’s Cross’ to King George IV was erected in 1830. No one liked it. It was taken down. The name stuck.
Waterloo: Named after the 1815 British victory over Napolean… ABBA’s 1974 reminder of Waterloo, singing:
Waterloo – I was defeated, you won the war
Promise to love you for ever more
Couldn’t escape if I wanted to
Knowing my fate is to be with you
It’s a song about the powerful train-journey of love… Human love, divine love… that Pancras faithfully submitted to… that Mary willingly lived… that Gabriel brought good news of… that Paddington joyfully reflects… that’s demonstrated by King Jesus on the King’s Cross.
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