St Edmund, King and Martyr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Edmund King and Martyr |
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| Saint Edmund the King and Martyr | |
Photo of the church today
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| Location | Lombard Street, London EC3V 9EA |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | https://www.lombardchurches.org/ |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Consecrated but no regular worship |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Architect(s) | Sir Christopher Wren |
| Style | Baroque |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | City of London |
| Archdeaconry | London |
| Episcopal area | Two Cities |
| Diocese | London |
St Edmund, King and Martyr is an Anglican church in Lombard Street, located in the City of London. It is dedicated to St Edmund the Martyr.
Since 2001, the church building has been home to the London Centre for Spirituality, now called the London Centre for Spiritual Direction. Even with this new use, it is still a consecrated church. Since 2019, Imprint Church has also held regular worship services inside the building.
The church is found in the ward of Langbourn. You can see a community noticeboard outside.
Contents
History of St Edmund's Church
Early Beginnings of the Church
The church was first mentioned in records in 1292. It was known then as 'Saint Edmund towards Garcherche'. Later, in 1348, it was called 'Saint Edmund in Lombardestrete'.
John Stow, a famous historian, wrote about the church in his 1598 book, Survey of London. He also referred to it as St Edmund Grass Church.
The Great Fire and Rebuilding
The original medieval church was destroyed in the terrible Great Fire of London in 1666. After the fire, its parish joined with the parish of St Nicholas Acons. That church was also destroyed and never rebuilt.
The church you see today was designed by the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. It was built between 1670 and 1679. The tower has special decorations that look like flaming urns. These are a reminder of the Great Fire.
Some people have described the church's design in interesting ways. One person said the tower looked "more Chinese than Italian." Another called it "rather handsome." The church is also unusual because its altar faces north, not east.
Notable Events and People
In 1716, the famous writer Joseph Addison was married here.
In September 1868, a small riot happened outside the church. This was after a sermon by a priest known as "Father Ignatius." He had spoken badly about the traders on Lombard Street.
The church was repaired in 1864 and again in 1880. On July 7, 1917, during World War I, a German Gotha bomber dropped a bomb on St Edmund's. The bomb destroyed the main roof beam. The church needed a lot of repairs and reopened in 1919. You can still see some pieces of the German bomb inside the church today.
More damage happened in 1941 during the London Blitz in World War II. This time, incendiary bombs caused the damage.
On January 4, 1950, the church was given a special status. It was named a Grade I listed building. This means it is a very important historic building.
Past Leaders of the Church
Many important people have served as rectors (head priests) of St Edmund's. One was Thomas Lyndford, who was a chaplain to King George I. Another was Jeremiah Milles, who led the Society of Antiquaries.
After World War I, Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy became the rector. He was also known as "Woodbine Willie" because he gave cigarettes to soldiers during the war. He later worked for a group called the Industrial Christian Fellowship. He traveled around Britain giving speeches. He became ill on one of these trips and died in 1929 at age 45. Many poor people came to his funeral.
St Edmund's Church Today
Today, St Edmund, King and Martyr is part of a larger group of churches. This group includes St Edmund the King and Martyr, and St Mary Woolnoth Lombard Street with St Nicholas Acons, All Hallows Lombard Street, St Benet Gracechurch, St Leonard Eastcheap, St Dionis Backchurch and St Mary Woolchurch Haw. It is usually called "St Edmund & St Mary Woolnoth." Only St Edmund's and St Mary Woolnoth are still standing today.
The church is part of the Church of England's Diocese of London. It also houses the office of the Bishop of Islington.
Images for kids
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An old drawing of the church.
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The church today, now a Centre for Spirituality.
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Inside the church.
See also
