England's Most Sacred Church

On everyones list when visiting London, since its creation, has naturally been the glorious and sacred Westminster Abbey. Time has shifted the purpose of societies visit- for hundreds of years, it was a sacred place of pilgrimage, worship, prayers, coronations, and weddings. Now, while all those things still happen, nothing keeps it going and the numbers in and out like tourism. 
I've been to the Abbey three times now- and while it was just as amazing every time I come back- this time gave me a new perspective. I've visited about 50 churches at least in the UK and Europe now- all historic in their own right, and as a Christian I view them in a completely different light to those who aren't religious. Smaller houses with less fame are places of quiet and solace. They are the path less taken, and I can say that when you have seen one, you haven't seen them all. Every one is unique and holds different treasures from the next. The styles might be similar, but they are all masterpieces none the less- considering the times they were built in. But I diverge. The Abbey, like Notre Dame- is so famous and legendary- that  tourists now, more than ever- seem to view it as an attraction more than a place of God, as most communities now don't hold God at the center of life. With the constant secularization of society, tourists walk into these houses with a purpose to check it off their list- rather that respect it for its true purpose. I understand that it is hard to respect the nature of it when you have had no contact with faith and therefore don't know the customs or practices- but shouldn't there be a line drawn in how to inherently act in such a sacred space?
This trip, I had the chance to visit the grave of St. Edward the Confessor- the founder of the Abbey and one of Englands first monarchs. His grave is in the holiest part of the church- behind the high alter- and its so fragile that only few can see it- for prayers under permission. I happened to visit when there was such a call to prayer- and therefore witnessed the incredible space. It was small and crescent shaped, surrounded in glory by the coffins of some of Englands earliest kings and queens, the Plantagenets- and in the center, the tomb of Edward himself. The ancient stone was browned beyond compare- from centuries of people touching and praying at its base. While I'm not from Church of England, it's similar enough to my denomination that I said the prayers and reveled in the sight of such a holy place- one that people of all walks of life have visited for almost a thousand years. As a history buff- sitting next to Eleanor of Castile and Henry V, in the holiest part of this grand Abbey, was beyond words. 
Understandably, this area is not for all tourists, unless they ask. Rightly so, the Abbey must protect this space at all costs- but walking into the alcoves of the rest of the church- and their incredibly worn flooring and stone- you wonder at the cost of tourism. These places bring people into contact with God, when they might have no contact beforehand- but they also create damage beyond repair- at young children running their hands over centuries old relics. My own pilgrimage is to the tomb of Elizabeth I- a true place of inspiration and reflection both. As I sat and took a moment to think of her legacy- two children leaned up against the iron rail and fiddled with the intricate roses on the gate- all while the parents watched on. Where has the respect gone?
Ironically, beneath her grave, along with her sister Mary, there reads a plaque- underscoring the sacrifice and terror of the Reformation- and how England was at it's most divided be religion. For a quick recap- both Queens' father, the infamous Henry VIII, spilt with the Catholic Church and created the Church of England so we could divorce is first wife, Katherine of Aragon, Mary's mother, to marry Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth's mother. This spilt sent shockwaves through the world and changed the face of England forever. The struggle between the two daughters was fierce( Mary Catholic, Elizabeth Protestant)- as they both had their time on the throne. Lucky for many, Mary's was short- as her reign was marked with malicious bloodshed to bring Catholicism back and kill off Protestants. The plaque commemorates this awful time for England, and also brings to light the change in morals and values. It takes us back to a time when faith was so strong in the lives of the many that people willingly died for it. While no doubt this still happens now in less enlightened nations, this concept brings about a double edged sword- we have freedom of religion and there is tolerance for all faiths in most of society, but at the same time, we have come to disrespect the values millions died for. Many of us have never had to live through such a turbulent world. With education and deference, this can be brought back, for the good of the preservation of history, and hopefulness that it doesn't repeat itself in such a bloody way. 
All grievances aside, I can safely say that I'm extremely glad for my faith upbringing- not only as the core of my values, but also out of respect for religion. One day, when I get to visit a mosque, as I would love to experience- I might not know the customs, but I would ask questions and hold the highest regard to respect their ways. If the world keeps falling by the wayside- where will we be without this common sense of decency? The church has become an antiquated object to most- an attraction that seems to fall more into the past as our values and lives change. Having every faith that people will preserve this for generations to come is the best we can pray for. 

The incredible ceilings above Elizabeth's tomb inside her burial alcove of the Tudor masterpiece, the Lady Chapel.

Liz, resting in eternal piece.

The beautiful plaque, lead to rest in the same spot as the two religious monarchs- symbolizing a hope for the end of reilgious turmoil.