St Martin Orgar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Martin Orgar
St Martin Orgar depicted by Thomas H. Shepherd in 1831
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Location	London
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Anglican
History
Dedication	Martin of Tours
Architecture
Demolished	1820

St Martin Orgar was an old church located in the City of London. You could find it on Martin Lane, near Cannon Street. The church's name comes from a man named Ordgarus. He was a Dane who gave the church to the canons of St Paul’s.

Some people think this church is mentioned in the famous nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons". Most of the church was destroyed in the terrible Great Fire of London in 1666. However, its tower and part of the main hall, called the nave, were still standing. After the fire, the church's area was combined with a nearby church, St Clement Eastcheap. The churchyard continued to be used by both parishes until 1853.

The Church's History

Early Beginnings

St Martin Orgar was a very old church. It was named after a Danish person called Ordgarus. He was the one who gave the church to the religious leaders of St Paul's. This happened a long, long time ago.

The Great Fire of London

In 1666, a huge fire swept through London. This event is known as the Great Fire of London. It destroyed many buildings, including most of St Martin Orgar. Only the church's tower and a part of its main area survived the flames.

After the Fire

After the fire, the parts of the church that remained were fixed up. From then until 1820, French Protestants used the building for their services. In 1820, most of the remaining church was pulled down. But the tower was kept. It was rebuilt in 1851. This rebuilt tower became the campanile (bell tower) for the nearby church, St Clement Eastcheap. Today, a small piece of St Martin's churchyard still exists south of this bell tower.

Images for kids

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  29 Martin Lane, built on the site of St Martin Orgar in 1853