St Martin in the Fields

In 1542 Henry VIII rebuilt the church already on this site to keep plague victims from being carried through his palace grounds. At the time, this was an isolated spot 'in the fields'.

About this building

For more information visit on this building visit www.explorechurches.org/church/st-martin-fields-trafalgar-square

Other nearby buildings

Diliff /Wikimedia Commons

Notre Dame de France

Built for the London French community in 1953-55 from designs by Professor Hector Corfiato, the circular design of the church repeats the form of two previous buildings on the site, a diorama of the 1790s and a church of the 1860s by LA Boileau. Corfiato's church is important as an advanced design showing the influence of the Liturgical Movement, and as a showcase of Art Sacre, notably the murals in the Lady Chapel by Jean Cocteau.

Loco Steve/Flickr

St Clement Danes

This is the 'Oranges and Lemons' church and features include a Grinling Gibbons pulpit and Samuel Johnson statue. Rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1682 and burnt out during World War II. Reconsecrated as the Central Church of the Royal Air Force in 1958 with antique and modern silver, RAF Books of Remembrance, Squadron Standards and Badges. Reredos by Ruskin Spear and windows by Carl Edwards.

Stuart and Jen Robertson/Flickr

Crown Court Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland has been active in London since the time of James VI, King of Scots, who became King James I of England in 1603. There is some evidence that courtiers of the King who had followed him from Scotland worshipped in a chapel in the precincts of the old Whitehall Palace. This site became known as Scotland Yard and subsequently housed the original offices of the Metropolitan Police. The current building dates from 1909, but Crown Court Church has been on this site since 1719.