St Clement's, Eastcheap facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Clement Eastcheap |
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| St Clement Eastcheap Clements Lane, London |
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St Clement's Church, October 2006
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| Location | London, EC3 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Official website: http://www.london.anglican.org/about/explore-the-diocese/parish/st-clement-eastcheap |
| History | |
| Founded | pre. 1067 |
| Dedicated | 1687 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Architect(s) | Sir Christopher Wren |
| Years built | 1683 (begun) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Clement, Eastcheap |
| Diocese | London |
| Division | Archdeaconry of London |
| Subdivision | City Deanery |
St Clement Eastcheap is a historic Church of England church in the City of London. It stands on Clement's Lane, not far from London Bridge and the River Thames. This church is dedicated to Pope Clement I, who was an early Christian leader. Legend says he was tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea. Because of this, he became the patron saint of sailors.
There are only two old churches in London named after St Clement. The other one is St. Clement Danes in Westminster. Both churches are mentioned in the famous children's nursery rhyme, "Oranges and Lemons".
Contents
Exploring St Clement Eastcheap
A Look Back in Time
The area around the church, called Eastcheap, was a busy market street in medieval London. The name 'Eastcheap' comes from an old word meaning 'market'. This church might even have Roman roots. Old Roman walls and pavements were found nearby, suggesting a very early settlement.
The church is first definitely mentioned in a document from the 1200s. For a long time, the Abbot of Westminster Abbey chose the church's priests. Later, this job went to the Bishop of London. Today, the Bishop and St Paul's Cathedral take turns choosing the new priest.
The Great Fire and Rebuilding
In 1666, a huge disaster struck London: the Great Fire of London. St Clement Eastcheap was completely destroyed. But Londoners didn't give up! The church was rebuilt in the 1680s. The famous architect Sir Christopher Wren is believed to have designed the new church. Building finished in 1687, costing about £4,365.
After the fire, St Clement's parish joined with another nearby church, St Martin Orgar. St Martin's church was also destroyed, but its tower survived. For many years, French Huguenots (Protestants who fled France) used the St Martin's tower for their worship.
Changes Over the Years
In the 1800s, many City churches were torn down as people moved out of London. St Clement's was almost demolished in the 1830s but was saved!
In 1872, the church got a big makeover by architect William Butterfield. He made changes to fit the popular 'High Church' style of the time. This included adding stained glass windows and new pews. Later, in 1933, another architect, Sir Ninian Comper, made more changes, moving the organ and redecorating the altar area.
During World War II, in 1940, the church was slightly damaged by bombs during the London Blitz. But it was repaired and redecorated again in the following years.
St Clement's Today
Today, St Clement Eastcheap still holds weekly services. For many years, a theatre group called The Players of St Peter performed medieval plays there. The church also hosts offices for several charities.
"Oranges and Lemons" Rhyme
Both St Clement Eastcheap and St Clement Danes Church claim to be the "St Clement's" in the "Oranges and Lemons" nursery rhyme. The rhyme starts: "Oranges and lemons / Say the bells of St Clement's".
St Clement Eastcheap's claim is that it was close to the docks where citrus fruits were brought into London. However, maps show many other churches were even closer to the Thames. It seems the name "St Clement's" was chosen for the rhyme because it sounds good with "lemons." The tune of the rhyme might even be older than the words!
The "Oranges and Lemons" rhyme was recently featured in the 2017 movie It. The composer used the haunting tune to open the film's music score.
The Church Building
St Clement Eastcheap has a unique shape. The main part of the church, called the nave, is mostly rectangular. But the side aisle on the south tapers, meaning it gets narrower. The ceiling is decorated with panels, and the central one has a large oval design of fruit and flowers.
The main entrance is on the west side, facing Clement's Lane. The church has a simple square tower without a tall spire. The outside walls are covered in stucco, except for the top parts of the tower where the brick shows.
There's a small churchyard to the east, surrounded by office buildings. It has old tombstones that are now hard to read. A narrow path leads to the churchyard. At its entrance, there's a plaque for Dositej Obradović, a Serbian scholar who lived nearby in 1784.
The church is considered a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historic building.
The Organ
The church's organ has an old oak case from 1696. The organ itself has been rebuilt and repaired many times over the centuries. It was first built by Renatus Harris. Later, it was worked on by famous organ builders like Abraham Jordan and Messrs J. W. Walker.
The organ was originally in a gallery at the west end of the church. In 1872, it was moved to the south aisle during renovations. But in 1936, it was moved back closer to its original spot. The organ was last cleaned and repaired in 2004.
Organists
Many talented musicians have been organists at St Clement Eastcheap. The first known organist was Henry Lightindollar, in 1699.
One notable organist was Edward Purcell, the son of the famous composer Henry Purcell. Edward became organist in 1711 and was buried in the church when he died in 1740. His son, Edward Henry Purcell, also became organist after him!
The current organist is Ian Shaw.
Inside the Church
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The altar, where services are held, dates back to the 1600s. Its legs are carved with cherubs. The reredos, a decorated screen behind the altar, was painted in the 1930s. It shows scenes like the Annunciation and figures of St Clement and St Martin.
The pulpit, where the preacher stands, is also from the 17th century. It's made of Norwegian oak and has a hexagonal top with dancing cherubs.
Some parts of the 1872 renovation still remain. These include the colorful floor tiles and three stained-glass windows on the north wall. These windows show different saints.
The church also has a marble font for baptisms. Its wooden cover is very decorative, with a carved dove and gilded flames. It's said that former Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone loved it so much he took his grandchildren to see it!
Famous People Connected to the Church
Many interesting people have been connected to St Clement Eastcheap.
The writer Thomas Fuller preached a series of sermons here in 1647.
John Pearson, who later became a bishop, was a weekly preacher at St Clement's from 1654. His sermons from the church were later published as a famous book called An Exposition of the Creed. He even dedicated the book to the people of St Clement's!
One of the rectors, Benjamin Stone, was put in prison by Oliver Cromwell because he was thought to be "too Popish." He later got his job back when Charles II became king.
The famous diarist Samuel Pepys also visited the church in 1661. He wrote in his diary about hearing the rector, Josias Alsopp, preach.
It's also said that in 1645, the poet John Milton made up with his wife, Mary Powell, in a house near the church. Milton's poem Paradise Lost describes Adam and Eve making up, and some believe it was inspired by his own experience.
Memorial
Right next to the church, in Clement's Lane, there is a special stone memorial. It honors Dositej Obradović (1742–1811). He was a very important Serbian scholar and statesman. He even became Serbia's first Education Minister! He stayed in a house near the church in 1784.
Images for kids
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The parish of St. Clement Eastcheap, London, and its surrounding area as shown in Johann Homann's 'Ad Norman prototypi Londinensis edita curis Homannianorum Heredum C.P.S.C.M', Homann Heirs: London (1736)
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Clement's Lane, 1831, looking south, engraved by Thomas Hosmer Shepherd (1793–1864). Clement's Lane, the small thoroughfare on which the church is located, is named after the church.
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Martin's Lane, looking north past St Martin Orgar church, 1831, engraved by Thomas Hosmer Shepherd (1793–1864)
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St Clement, Eastcheap: the reredos in May 2008
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Adam and Eve are expelled from Paradise in 'The Fall of Man' from the so-called N-Town plays, performed by the Players of St Peter in St Clement's, 2004
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See also
