ST.MARTIN-WITHIN-LUDGATE, - A SHORT HISTORYA plaque on the front of the church of St.Martin-Within-Ludgate, reads "Cadwallo King of the Britons is said to have been buried here in 677." His image, mounted on horseback was supposedly placed on Ludgate to frighten away the Saxons.Below we have a translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Histories of the Kings of Britain by Dr. Sebastian Evans.At last at the end of eight-and-forty-years, Cadwallo, that most noble and puissant King of the Britons, borne down by old age and sickness, departed this life upon the fifteenth of the Kalends of December. The Britons embalmed his body with balsams and sweet-scented condiments, and set it with marvellous art within a brazen image cast to the measure of his stature. This image, moreover, in armour of wondrous beauty and craftsmanship, they set upon a brazen horse above the West Gate of London in token of the victory I have spoken of, and as a terror unto the Saxons. They did likewise build beneath it a church in honour of St.Martin, wherein are divine services celebrated for him and the faithful departed. There is also a blue plaque, just to the left of the Church, marking the position of Ludgate, the gateway through the ancient city wall into the City of London.
ABOVE: ST. MARTIN WITHIN LUDGATE AND ST PAULS CATHEDRAL LONDON A church has occupied the site of St.Martin-Within-Ludgate,from 1174, rebuilt in 1437 it was struck by lightning in 1561.The patronage of the church belonged to the Abbot and Chapter of Westminster until 1540 when it passed to the Bishop of London and finally in 1554 it passed to the Chapter of St. Paul's,where it still remains up until the present day. As you enter the church and glance up at the stained glass windows on the North wall opposite,you will see those three patronages represented.The window on the left has the image of St.Peter to whom Westminster Abbey is dedicated,In the centre is the image of the Bishop of London and on the right hand window is the image of St.Paul.
The rebuilding of the church was to a large extent completed by 1680,but wasn't finally completed until 1703.It was in this rebuilding that the church was set back from the road,thereby giving Ludgate Hill the much needed extra width that it required. The destruction by fire of the church of Mary Magdelene Old Fish Street in 1888 heralded the unification in 1890 of St.Martin's,Mary Magdalene and St Gregory by St.Paul's,which had been destroyed in The Great Fire but not rebuilt.The unification is represented by the three paintings below,which are positioned to the right of the altar,depicting the patron saints of these three churches.
Major rebuilding and alteration took place in 1894,resulting in much of the layout within the church that can be seen today.The floor level at the east end was raised to create the chancel area. St.Martin-Within-Ludgate, received less damage than any of the other City churches during the Second World War,although the roof was damaged when an incendiary device,was dropped in 1942. St.Martin's became a Guild Church in 1954,which means,it does not have a parish but does have other responsibilities and functions. ITEMS TO LOOK AT IN ST.MARTIN-WITHIN-LUDGATE,
THE WOODEN DOORCASES.(Left)They are not considered to be by master wood carver,Grinling Gibbons despite their quality and the inclusion of his trade mark of an open pea pod. THE LARGE CENTRAL BRASS CHANDELIER.(Right) This Chandelier was brought from St.Vincent's Cathedral in the West Indies,about 1777.No one seems to know how they came or why they came.Is there anyone out there who DOES know.If so would they please let US know.
THE SWORD REST.(Left)The Sword Rest was brought from St.Mary Magdalene and it is sixteenth century wrought iron. THE PELICAN IN HER PIETY.(Right) As she feeds her young with blood drawn from her breast,so Jesus feeds His Church with His body in The eucharist.
THE REREDOS(Left).The Reredos behind the altar is original to the church with the Lord's Prayer,the Ten Commandments and the Creed.Above it,God's name is written in Greek and Latin. THE DOUBLE CHURCH-WARDENS' CHAIR(Right). This is a curiosity,bearing the initials of the churchwardens in 1690,Thomas Safford and Thomas Pistor.
THE PULPIT.(Left)The Pulpit is original to the church 1680,restored in 2008.It is thought that the wood panneling of the church might have been in this restored colour. THE FONT.(Right) The font is inscribed in Greek - NIYON ANOMHMA MH MONAN OYIN ('cleanse my sin not my face') The palindrome (reading the same backwards and forwards) is found in several other English and European Churches.The carved oak cover hangs on a counterweight.The pedestal is wood painted to simulate stone.
THE ORGAN,(Left)Dated back to 1848,it was originally by Theodore Bates of Ludgate Hill,repaired by Mander in 1956.It has two manuals and pedals. THE c17 BREADSHELVES.(Right) These came from St.Mary Magdalene Old Fish Street.After Morning Service bread given by more wealthy parishioners would be placed on the shelves for the poor of the to collect.
It is well known that Pocahontas and Samuel Purchas,the famous travel writer who had become Rector of St.Martin's in 1614 knew each other. She and their young son had accompanied her husband,John Rolfe,on his journey to England in 1616 and it is also known that at some stage she had stayed at The Belle Sauvage,one of the largest and most famous galleried coaching inns in London,which was situated just a little further down Ludgate Hill,from St.Martins.
Again of interest perhaps to any tourists from the U.S.A. is the marriage between the parents of the founder of Pennsylvania,William Penn,who tied the knot at St.Martin-Within-Ludgate,in the year 1643.
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St.Martin-Within-Ludgate,Sanctuary Paintings.the painting on the left side of the Sanctuary wall is after Raphael,possibly by R.Browne,1720,and it came from St.Mary Magdalene.
The painting over the altar shows Christ in Majesty,possibly a copy of an old Italian Master,c1900.
