St Martin-in-the-Fields
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| St. Martin-in-the-Fields | |
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 St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London
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| Information | |
| Denomination | Church of England, earlier Roman Catholic |
| Architect(s) | James Gibbs |
| Constructed | 1721-1726 |
| Contact particulars | |
| Address | Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church at the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Its patron is Saint Martin of Tours.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Roman era
Excavations at the site in 2006 led to the discovery of a grave dated about 410.[1] The site is outside the city limits of Roman London (as was the usual Roman practice for burials), but is particularly interesting for being so far outside, and this is leading to a reappraisal of Westminster's importance at that time. The burial is thought by some to mark a Christian centre of that time (possibly reusing the site or building of a pagan temple).
[edit] Medieval and Tudor
The earliest extant reference to the church is from 1222, with a dispute between the Abbot of Westminster and the Bishop of London as to who had control over it. It was decided in favour of Westminster, and used by the monks of Westminster Abbey.
The church was rebuilt by Henry VIII in 1542 to avoid plague victims from the area having to pass through his Palace of Whitehall. At this time, it was literally "in the fields" in an isolated position between the cities of Westminster and London.
A number of notables were buried in this phase of the church, including Robert Boyle and Nell Gwynne.
[edit] Present building
The church survived the Great Fire of London which did not reach as far as the City of Westminster, but was replaced with a new building, designed by James Gibbs in 1721 and completed five years later.[2] The design was criticised widely at the time but subsequently became extremely famous, being copied particularly widely in the United States.[3] The church is essentially rectangular, with a great pediment in the Classical style supported by a row of huge Corinthian columns. The high steeple is topped with a gilt crown. Gibbs was certainly inspired by Sir Christopher Wren as the interior is very similar to St James's in Piccadilly.
Various 18th century notables were soon buried in the new church, including the émigré sculptor Roubiliac (who had settled in this area of London) and the furniture-maker Thomas Chippendale (whose workshop was in the same street as the church, St Martin's Lane[4]), along with Jack Sheppard in the now-lost adjoining churchyard.
The church has a close relationship with the Royal Family[5] and with the Admiralty[6]
[edit] Present day
Because of its prominent position, St Martin-in-the-Fields is one of the most famous non-cathedral churches in London. Its ethos as the "Church of the Ever Open Door" (a title coined by Dick Sheppard, Vicar in the early 20th Century when the work with homeless people was started) continues today, even though it is not possible for it literally to be the case. It is famous for its work with homeless people through The Connection at St Martin's[7] as well as its regular lunchtime and evening concerts. Many now-famous ensembles have performed at the church, including the Choir and Orchestra of the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields. The Belmont Ensemble of London is the principal orchestra at St Martin-in-the-Fields, they have given over 400 concerts in the church over the past 18 years. There is a popular Café in the Crypt, where jazz concerts are held. All profits from this go to the work of the church. The crypt is also home to the London Brass Rubbing Centre, an art gallery and a book and gift shop.
In January 2006 work began on a £36 million renewal project. The project includes cleaning and renewing the church itself as well as provision of facilities for visitors, music, parish and social care, which encompass not only the church's crypt but also a row of buildings to the north and some significant new underground spaces in between. The funding includes a grant of £15.35 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The church and crypt are now reopen and all the work is scheduled to be complete in early summer 2008. As part of the public fundraising, it is possible to sponsor a pane of glass and 'Give light to St Martin's'.[8]
Twelve historic bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields make part of the Swan Bells monument in Perth, Western Australia.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ BBC News
- ^ St.Martin-in-the-Fields.org History
- ^ Sheppard, F.H.W. (1998). London : a history. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-822922-4.
- ^ When built the church was on St Martin's Lane and it was only much later, with the building of Trafalgar Square that its spectacular architecture attained the evidence that it has today.
- ^ King George I was a churchwarden and Queen Mary attended regularly.
- ^ This falls within its parish, and the Trafalgar Square link strengthens the bond — the church flies the White Ensign of the Royal Navy rather than the Union Flag, and traditionally the church's bells are rung to proclaim a naval victory.
- ^ Connection at St. Martins website
- ^ Give Light to St. Martin's website
[edit] External links
- St Martin-in-the-Fields website
- Connection at St Martin's website
- Give Light to St Martin's Campaign Appeal
- Roman occupation of church site
- Mystery Worshipper Report at the Ship of Fools website
