St Martin-in-the-Fields

St Martin-in-the-Fields is a Church of England church at the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London.

History

Roman era

Excavations at the site during 2006 led to the discovery of a grave dated about 410.[1] The site is outside the Roman city limits (usual practice for burials), but is still particularly interesting for being so far outside, and 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).

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.

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. The design was criticised widely at the time but subsequently became extremely famous, being copied particularly widely in the United States^[1]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^[2]), along with Jack Sheppard in the now-lost adjoining churchyard.

The church has a close relationship with the Royal Family^[3] and with the Admiralty^[4]

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 [2] 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 New Trinity Baroque, and the London Soloists Orchestra.

There is a popular Café in the Crypt, where jazz concerts are held. All profits from this goes to the activities of the church. The crypt is also home to the London Brass Rubbing Centre, an art gallery and a book and gift shop. (The Crypt is now closed for the Renewal Project until 1st October 2007.)

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 work is scheduled to be complete at the end of 2007.

See also

• List of churches and cathedrals of London

Notes and references

1. ^ Sheppard, F.H.W. (1998). London : a history. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-822922-4. 
2. ^ 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.
3. ^ King George I was a churchwarden and Queen Mary attended regularly.
4. ^ This falls within its parish, and the Trafalgar Square link strengthens the bond — the White Ensign of the Royal Navy hangs above the altar, accompanied by the flag of the Admiralty Board, and traditionally the church's bells are rung to proclaim a naval victory.

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