ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS |
One of the most famous non-cathedral churches in London and the venue of many music concerts
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Church Steeple
Main Interior
Music Concerts
Cafe in the Crypt
Brass Rubbing Centre
Visitor Information |
The Church is open daily with a regular programme of music concerts. Entry is FREE.
The Cafe is open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm (10pm on Friday and Saturday) and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.
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Its prominent position in the north east corner of Trafalgar Square has made the Anglican church of St Martin-in-the-Fields one of the most famous non-cathedral churches in London. It houses a brass rubbing centre,
where a team of experts will help you try your hand with brass
replicas; including Medieval knights, St George with Dragon and William
Shakespeare. In the crypt you will find a well stocked shop and a café.
The church of St Martin-in-the-Fields also enjoys one of the finest
musical reputations in the world. Since 1726 it has played host to
some of the world’s greatest musicians: Handel and Mozart both played
on the Schrider organ in 1727. Today it continues to host lunch-time and evening concerts including regular jazz nights.
The church of St Martin in the Fields
Early
references to a church located here date from the 13th century when
monks from Westminster Abbey were known to visit. At that time, the
church was located in isolated fields between the cities of London and
Westminster, hence the name in-the-Fields. In the mid 16th century King
Henry VIII developed and expanded the church to stop plague victims
coming anywhere near his grand Palace at Whitehall.
The church clock
Did You Know?
In the early 19th century, the crypt was used as a shelter for the
homeless, including soldiers and tramps. The vicar of the time, Dick
Sheppard, developed an ethos of an “Ever Open Door” which has been
continued to the present day. The crypt was also used as an air raid
shelter during the Blitz of World War 2.
In 1721, the old church was demolished and a new one was designed by Scottish architect James Gibb,
which was completed in 1726. The design became one of the most
influential in the world. It was copied throughout the United States as
it became a model for Colonial style church buildings, characterised by
its rectangular shape, huge columns and high steeple.
Inside St Martin in the Fields
Among
the highlights of the spacious interior of the church, is a royal box
to the left of the altar, where kings worshipped. During the 18th
century, the church became so popular that in order to worship here you
were required to pay an annual rent for a pew!
Did You Know?
In 1924 the first ever religious service was broadcast on TV from St Martin-in-the Fields.
The Cafe in the Crypt
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