St. Martin-in-the-Fields

The church of St Martin-in -the-Fields is located on Trafalgar Square in London. It was built in the years 1721-1726 according to the plans of architect James Gibbs. The shape of the facade with a portico built in the Tower was considered an architectural novelty and has been heavily criticized. She was later often imitated, especially in the United States.

History

The first mention of a church on this site comes from the year 1222 In 1542 it was rebuilt in the reign of King Henry VIII. ; further enlargement took place in 1607.

The church survived the Great Fire of London, but was demolished in 1721 to make the building of James Gibbs space. The building has cost about 60,000 pounds at that time.

In St Martin-in -the-Fields were, inter alia, William Hogarth, Thomas Chippendale and Joshua Reynolds buried.

Monarchs, admirals and poor people

Traditionally fills this church in London two functions:

Furthermore, St. Martin 's in October annual meeting of the so-called Pearlies (market people from the East End, whose distinctive mark is a type with pearl buttons decorated uniform and collect for charity ) on which they their leaders ( " Pearly King & Pearly Queen" choose).

Since the era of Dick Sheppard as vicar of St. Martin (1914-1927), this church is an important reference point for the poor and homeless.

Others

In the church often hosts concerts; to the orchestras occur there include, inter alia, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and New Trinity Baroque from the USA. In the crypt café was set up in a sometimes jazz groups occur.

The organ of St. Martin JW 1990 by organ builder Walker & Sons built. The instrument has 48 registers on three manuals and pedal and was scheduled as a concert instrument for the concert at St. Martin in the French romantic style. The Spieltrakturen are mechanical, the Registertrakturen are electrically coupling the selectively mechanically and electrically. The instrument is equipped with an electronic combination system.

• Couplers: I / II, III / I, III / II, I / P, II / P III / P