SAINT  PANCRAS 

TRAIN STATION IN LONDON

When I was taking the train from London - through the chunnel - under the English Channel - to France and Belgium, I was intrigued that a train station in London was named, “St Pancras Train Station.”

Today, May 12, is the feast of St. Pancras, so how about a few comments about that train station with the name of a saint in it?

With a little research I found out that the station was built right near St. Pancras Church in London.

Next question: how did a Roman teenage boy saint and martyr get recognition in England.

Answer: Pope Gregory the Great - 567 to 633 - sent a  missionary named Augustine [who became Augustine of Cantebury - c. 534-604 - no,  not the famous Saint Augustine of Carthage] - along with relics of the martyr Saint Pancras. Various churches in England were dedicated to Saint Pancras - one of which is the Old Church St. Pancras in London.

That’s the story in about about 60 words. While waiting for the train for Brussels  at St. Pancras station I noticed the big bronze statues - especially of the poet John Betjeman - who wrote poems on the trains coming to and from that station.

That's John Betjeman - with his brief case - probably looking up at the train schedule.

Wrong hand dummy!

Notice also the couple kissing hello or goodbye in the station. If you ever get there, check out the images at the base of that kissing couple as well.