St Martin, Ludgate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Martin, Ludgate |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
St Martin, Ludgate (with St Paul's in the background, right)
|
|
| Location | London, EC4 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Architect(s) | Sir Christopher Wren |
| Style | Baroque |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | London |
St Martin, Ludgate, also known as St Martin within Ludgate, is a beautiful church in the City of London. It stands on Ludgate Hill, a famous street. The church is part of the Church of England.
This church has a long history, going back to medieval times. The building you see today was built between 1677 and 1684. It was designed by the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, who also designed St Paul's Cathedral.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of St Martin's
Some old stories say that a legendary British king named Cadwallo was buried here around 677 AD. A sign on the church even mentions this legend. People believed his image was placed on the nearby Ludgate to scare away invaders.
The first written record of the church dates back to 1174. A monastery for Blackfriars (a type of monk) was built close by in 1278. The church was rebuilt in 1437. In 1561, lightning struck its tower! The church's records, called parish books, began in 1410.
Before the English Reformation, the church was connected to Westminster Abbey. After the Reformation, it came under the care of St. Paul's Cathedral.
Design and Special Features
.jpg)
St Martin of Tours is a Patron Saint who protects travelers. Churches named after him often stand near city gates. A blue plaque near St Martin's reminds us that the old city gate, Ludgate, used to be there until 1760.
The church has a unique design. It features a dome covered in lead, with a lantern on top. Above that is a sharp, pointed steeple. If you stand on the lower part of Fleet Street, you can see St Martin's steeple perfectly framed in front of St Paul's Cathedral's large dome. Sir Christopher Wren likely planned this view to show a cool contrast between the two buildings.
The inside of the church is also special. On the 17th-century font (a basin used for baptisms), there's a Greek palindrome. A palindrome is a word or phrase that reads the same forwards and backwards. This one says: Nipson anomemata me monan opsin, which means "Wash the sins, not only the face."
You can also find a rare 17th-century carved oak double churchwarden's chair here. It's the only one of its kind known to exist! The north windows have beautiful stained glass by Powell of Whitefriars. They show important figures like the Bishop of London.
Fires, Finds, and Renovations
The medieval church was repaired in 1623. However, it was completely destroyed in the terrible Great Fire of London in 1666. Rebuilding didn't start right away, but the new church was mostly finished by 1680 and fully completed by 1703.
In 1669, a Roman tombstone was found near the church. It is now kept in the Ashmolean Museum. The church's current design includes an octagonal (eight-sided) cupola, which is a small dome. This cupola supports a balcony and a tapered spire that reaches about 158 feet (48 meters) high.
The main part of the church is shaped like a Greek cross, with four large columns. The beautiful chandelier inside dates from around 1777 and came from a cathedral in the West Indies.
In 1893 and 1894, the church had a big renovation. The floor level was raised, and many old burials from the churchyard were moved to Brookwood Cemetery.
During the London Blitz in 1941, a German incendiary bomb damaged the roof. Luckily, St Martin's didn't suffer too much damage during the Second World War. In 1954, St Martin's became a Guild Church. It was officially recognized as a Grade I listed building on January 4, 1950, meaning it's a very important historical building.
The Organ
The church has a wonderful organ designed by Bernard Schmidt in 1684. Inside the church, you can see amazing carvings that are said to be by the famous artist Grinling Gibbons. Other carvings were done by skilled joiners and carvers of the time.
If you visit, you might be able to hear the organ! There are organ recitals every other Monday, and chamber music concerts every Wednesday and Friday.
You can find more details about the organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Some of the past organists at St Martin include:
- Frederick Albert Bridge (1841–1917)
See also
