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 got its name from a person called Ordgarus. He was a Dane who gave the church to the canons of St Paul’s.

This church is sometimes thought to be one of the churches mentioned in the famous nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons". Most of the building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. However, the church's tower and part of its main hall were left standing.

The Great Fire and New Beginnings

The Great Fire of London caused a lot of damage in 1666. St Martin Orgar was one of many churches that were badly hit. After the fire, the church's local area, called its parish, was combined with another nearby church. This new combined parish was called St Clement Eastcheap.

French Protestants Use the Church

Even though much of the church was gone, the remaining parts were fixed up. From then until 1820, French Protestants used the church for their services. This shows how different groups used the same space over time.

The Tower's New Role

In 1820, most of the church's remaining building was taken down. But the tower was kept! It was rebuilt in 1851. This tower then became the bell tower, or campanile, for the nearby St Clement Eastcheap church. A small piece of St Martin's churchyard still exists today, south of the tower.

People Buried at St Martin Orgar

Many people were buried in the churchyard of St Martin Orgar. At least 17 individuals have been identified. Some of the notable people buried there include:

• Alexander Iden
• Allan Cotton
• William Hewett and his family.
• William Cromer

Images for kids

• 

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

• 

  Blue plaque marking the site

External links

• Church bells of the City of London