St. Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin in the Fields is a historic church located in the heart of London, England. The first church on this site was built in the early 13th century, making it one of the oldest churches in the city. The current building dates back to the 18th century and is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture.
Throughout its history, St Martin in the Fields has played an important role in the life of the city. During the 18th century, it was a center for music and culture, hosting concerts by famous composers such as Handel and Mozart. Today, it continues to be a vibrant hub for music, with regular performances by its renowned choir and orchestra.
In addition to its musical legacy, St Martin in the Fields is also known for its charitable work. The church has a long history of helping the poor and disadvantaged, and today runs a number of programs to support those in need. These include a homeless shelter, a food bank, and a community center offering a range of services to local residents.
The church is the parish church for the royal family, Downing Street & the Admiralty.
Dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a church has stood on this site since at least the medieval period, when these lands were nothing but farms and small pockets of communities that were on the outside of the city walls. Henry VIII built a new church on the site in 1542, at the same time extending the boundaries to prevent plague victims being carried through his palace. This church stood here for 179 years before being pulled down to be replaced by the current building.
The view from Charing Cross station, with the national gallery in the background.
The church has many concerts and music recitals through out the year, my favourite being their Christmas concerts. Be sure to check the “what’s on” here…
St. Martin's in the Fields London is a painting by WH Simpson
