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ENGLAND: Renewal of St. Martin-in-the-Fields to serve 'community, visitors and those in need'
The Renewal of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, led by Eric Parry Architects, provides modern facilities to replace what was once a series of Victorian burial vaults, which have inadequately housed many of St. Martin's services for decades.
A new spacious underground piazza is also home to parish offices and rehearsal rooms for the world-class orchestra, The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. The revamp also includes a new east window by the Iranian-born artist Shirazeh Houshiary.
A three-week celebration of the Renewal began on April 27 with a festival of "discovery, music and church events," that runs through May 18. The preacher at the 10 a.m. Eucharist on April 27 was Archbishop Paul Kwong of Hong Kong -- "a reminder that 'home' for many of our community stretches well beyond the limits of Trafalgar Square," the festival brochure notes.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields describes itself as "an inclusive church embracing a practical, hospitable Christianity" and one that is "committed to care, particularly for homeless and vulnerable people." The parish has active English and Chinese speaking congregations.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams preached at an April 28 Thanksgiving service, attended by The Prince of Wales, patron of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Development Trust, The Duchess of Cornwall, Bishop Richard Chartres of London, and clergy and supporters from around the world. Prior to the service, St. Martin's Bellringers marked the occasion with a special peal of bells.
The aim of the Renewal project, due for completion in July, is "to enable St. Martin's to serve more effectively those in greatest need and to enrich people's lives through worship, social care and internationally renowned musical performances in spaces fit for the purpose."
More than £33 million has been raised towards the £36 million needed thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund and several other donors.
A landmark church in the heart of London, St. Martin-in-the-Fields was designed by James Gibbs and completed in 1726. It is well known for its welcoming atmosphere, award-winning Café, popular classical and jazz concerts. It aims to be the "Church of the Ever Open Door" and has at its heart a practical and hospitable Christianity that seeks to "comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." It holds regular church services in English, Cantonese and Mandarin and offers social care services to London's Chinese community and homeless people.
Speaking of the renovation, Prince Charles said: "Those who built the church in the 1720s were criticized for its great expense; two hundred and eighty years later, few capital investments have been so worthwhile. The church's openness to the world, its constant creativity and care of those in need, its international outlook and commitment to people of other faiths are of striking significance in our time."
Further information about the campaign is available here.
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