St Clement Danes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Clement Danes |
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| OS grid reference | TQ 30976 81040 |
| Location | City of Westminster, London |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic and Ecumenical RAF |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Architect(s) | Christopher Wren |
| Style | Baroque |
| Years built | several, most recently 1682 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of London |
St Clement Danes is a famous Anglican church in London. It stands on the Strand in the City of Westminster, near the Royal Courts of Justice. People believe the first church here was built by the Danes in the 800s.
The church you see today was designed by the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. It was finished in 1682. During the Blitz in World War II, the church was badly damaged by bombs. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1958. Now, it serves as the main church for the Royal Air Force (RAF).
You might know St Clement Danes from the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons". The church bells play this tune four times a day! Another church, St. Clement's, Eastcheap, also claims to be the one from the rhyme. St Clement Danes is one of two "Island Churches" on the Strand, meaning it stands in the middle of the road. The other is St Mary-le-Strand.
Contents
History of St Clement Danes
Why is it called St Clement Danes?
There are a few ideas about why the church is connected to the Danes. One popular idea is that in the 800s, the Danes settled in a village called Aldwych. This area was between the City of London and Westminster. London was on the border between English and Danish lands during the Danelaw period.
The Danes were seafaring people, so they named their church after St Clement. He is the patron saint of sailors. Another idea is that after Alfred the Great pushed the Danes out of London, he made them build this church.
Some historians also suggest that the name comes from a massacre of Danes. This happened in the 1000s, and a church was built to remember them. King Harold Harefoot was also buried here in 1040. His Danish background might have also given the church its name.
Building the Medieval Church
The church was first rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was rebuilt again later in the Middle Ages. In 1608, a new part of the church, called the chancel, was added. More repairs were done in 1618.
After the Great Fire of London in 1666, the church tower needed fixing. It was so damaged that the whole tower had to be rebuilt from the ground up. This work was finished in 1669. Soon after, it was decided that the rest of the church was also in bad shape. So, the entire church was rebuilt.
Sir Christopher Wren's Design
Sir Christopher Wren designed the new St Clement Danes church. It was built between 1680 and 1682. The church was made from Portland stone. It had a rounded end at the east, called an apse.
In 1719, James Gibbs added a tall spire to the tower. Inside, the church has balconies on three sides. These are supported by square pillars that become Corinthian columns higher up. They hold up a curved ceiling, like a barrel. Large, round-headed windows let in lots of light.
Modern History and World War II
William Webb Ellis, who is often said to have invented Rugby football, was once the church's rector. A special plaque remembers him here.
The church was almost completely destroyed during the Blitz on May 10, 1941. This was when the German air force (the Luftwaffe) bombed London. The outer walls, tower, and spire survived, but the inside was burned out. The church's ten bells fell to the ground. They were stored and later recast after the war.
The Royal Air Force Church
After the war, the Royal Air Force (RAF) raised money to restore the church. In 1958, St Clement Danes was officially reopened. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attended the ceremony. It became the main church for the Royal Air Force.
During the rebuilding, a special message was added under the Royal coat of arms. It says in Latin: "Christopher Wren built it 1672. The thunderbolts of aerial warfare destroyed it 1941. The Royal Air Force restored it 1958." (There's a small mistake in the date; it should be 1682, not 1672).
Church Services and Traditions
St Clement Danes is known for its excellent Anglican choir. Services are held regularly and are open to everyone. Special services also take place to celebrate important RAF events. The Royal Air Force Music Services provides wonderful music. The King's Colour Squadron also attends ceremonies. They are in charge of protecting the King's Colour for the RAF.
Every April, St Clement Danes celebrates Saint Clement. This tradition was started in 1919 by Reverend William Pennington-Bickford. He wanted to celebrate the church bells being fixed. This special service for children ends with oranges and lemons being given out.
In 2013, a short service was held for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Her coffin was then moved to a special gun carriage. It traveled along Fleet Street to St Paul’s Cathedral. In 2018, the church celebrated the 100th anniversary of the RAF.
Community of the Cross of Nails
The Central Church of the RAF is part of the Community of the Cross of Nails. This community started at Coventry Cathedral. Its main goals are to heal old wounds, learn to live with differences, and build a world of justice and peace. They are guided by the words 'Father Forgive'.
Friends of St Clement Danes
The Friends of St Clement Danes is a group that supports the church and its work for the Royal Air Force. Their main supporter is Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Their patron is Air Chief Marshall Sir Richard Knighton, who is the Chief of the Air Staff.
Royal Air Force Features
The church has many features that remember people and groups from the RAF.
Statues Outside
Outside the church, you can see statues of two important RAF leaders from World War II. These are Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris and Hugh Dowding. Both statues were made by the artist Faith Winter.
The statue of Sir Arthur Harris was put up in 1992. Some people protested because of his role in bombing German cities during the war. However, a group of RAF veterans, the Bomber Harris Trust, wanted to honor him. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother unveiled the statue. The statue says, "The Nation owes them all an immense debt." For a while, police had to guard the statue because of graffiti.
Memorials and Honours Inside
The church floor is made of Welsh slate. It has the badges of over 800 RAF groups and squadrons carved into it. Near the entrance, there is a circle of badges from Commonwealth air forces around the main RAF badge.
There is also a special memorial on the floor for the Polish airmen. They fought bravely to defend the United Kingdom and help free Europe in the Second World War.
Books of Remembrance list the names of all RAF personnel who have died while serving. They also include American airmen who died in the UK during World War II. Near the altar, plaques list the names of RAF, Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service, and Commonwealth personnel who received the highest awards for bravery, like the Victoria Cross and the George Cross.
Burials and Memorials
King Harold Harefoot is said to be buried here, though there is no memorial for him.
Many people connected to the RAF have their ashes buried at St Clement Danes. These include:
- Sir Archibald McIndoe (1900–1960), a plastic surgeon who helped RAF airmen during World War II.
- Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder (1890–1967).
- Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Douglas of Kirtleside (1893–1969).
Donations and Artefacts
In the church gallery, you can see the Queen's Colours and Standards from active RAF squadrons. These are old flags that have been replaced. There are also standards from squadrons that no longer exist.
Many parts of the church were gifts. The pulpits, pews, and chairs were given by different people, including past RAF leaders and the Guinea Pig Club. The lectern was a gift from the Royal Australian Air Force. The Cross came from the Air Training Corps. The altar was a gift from the Dutch embassy. The church's font was donated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The Paschal Candle was given by the Royal Belgian Air Force.
The Church Organ
The first records of an organ in the church are from 1690. This organ was rebuilt several times over 250 years. Sadly, it was destroyed in World War II. A new organ was installed in 1958. It was a gift from the United States Air Force. The organ case looks just like the one that was destroyed.
Schools Connected to the Church
The church started both a primary and a secondary school.
The St Clement Danes CE Primary School was founded in 1700. It is located nearby on Drury Lane in Covent Garden.
A secondary school was first in Holborn from 1862 to 1928. Then it moved to Hammersmith as St Clement Danes Grammar School until 1975. After that, it moved to Chorleywood, Hertfordshire. It is now called 'St Clement Danes School'.
In Books and Stories
The statue of Dr Samuel Johnson outside the church comes to life as a character called "Dictionary" in Charlie Fletcher's 2006 children's book, Stoneheart.
In the 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the main character sees a picture of the church before the war. In the book's story, the church was never rebuilt after being destroyed.
Notable People Connected to the Church
- Harold Harefoot, King of England, died in 1040 AD.
- John Layfield, one of the people who translated the King James Version of the Bible. He was Rector from 1602 to 1617.
- Thomas Otway, a playwright, was buried in the churchyard in 1685.
- Pierre Radisson, a French fur trader and explorer who helped start the Hudson's Bay Company, was buried here in 1710.
- Anthony Young, the church organist from 1707 to 1747.
- James Burton, a famous property developer in London, was married here in 1783.
- Many members of the Twinings tea family were baptised here, including social reformer Louisa Twining in 1820.
- James Weddell, who discovered the Weddell Sea in Antarctica, was buried in the churchyard in 1834.
- Katherine de Roet, an ancestor of Tudor and Stuart monarchs, was married here around 1366.
- Margaret Thatcher's funeral procession paused here in 2013. Her coffin was moved to a gun carriage before going to St Paul's Cathedral.
- William Ewart Gladstone – a memorial to him stands in front of the church.
See also
