Sunday, 7 July 2013

St. Martin-in-the-Fields, supporting the homeless on Trafalgar Square, London

It is early in the morning, pedestrians pass by or wait for a traffic light. They are walking to work and most of then come from the close by Underground Station of Charing Cross. The façade of this church, from architect James Gibes completed 1721, is in a perfect state. The church is very important to the city of London because it located into the heart of the city.

Saint Martin was a generous man and is know for sharing his cloak with a beggar. In the region where I was born, West-Flanders, he brings each year on 11 November candy and gifts to kids a bit in the same tradition of Saint Nicholas. The church is always open and in the spirit of Saint Martin, it provides shelter to homeless people. I entered the church around 8 o’clock in the morning and indeed several people were sleeping here. The church provides support to more than 7.000 people.

The interior is fantastic, clean and restored. The ceiling is broken white with plaster decorations, golden elements and great chandeliers. The crowns of the supporting columns show a plenitude of details. There are also a few nice paintings and a big organ but now it is time to go to work. My duty is waiting, it is going to be a long day.

Het is vroeg in de ochtend, voetgangers wandelen voorbij of wachten aan het verkeerslicht. Allen gaan ze naar hun werk en de meeste komen van het dichtbij gelegen metrostation van Charing Cros Station. De gevel van deze kerk, gebouwd door architect James Gibs in 1721, is in een perfecte staat. De kerk is enorm belangrijk voor de stad, daar ze echt in het midden van Londen is gebouwd.

 Sint Maarten was een vrijgevig man en staat gekend voor het delen van zijn mantel met een bedelaar. In de regio waar ik geboren ben, West-Vlaanderen, brengt hij ieder jaar op 11 november, snoep en speelgoed voor kinderen. Een beetje in dezelfde traditie als Sinterklaas. De kerk is altijd open en volgens de levensvisie van Sint Maarten, biedt men hier hulp aan daklozen. Ik ging de kerk binnen rond 8 uur ’s morgens en er sliepen hier inderdaad verschillende mensen. De kerk biedt ondersteuning aan 7.000 mensen. 

Het interieur is fantastisch, zuiver en gerestoreerd. Het plafond is in gebroken wit met plaasteren versieringen, gouden elementen en grote lusters. De zuilkronen bevatten een overvloed aan details. Je vindt er ook enkele mooie schilderwerken en een groot orgel, maar nu is het tijd om te gaan werken. Mijn dagtaak wacht op mij en het gaat een lange dag worden.. 
 
Saint Martin in the Fields London

Saint Martin in the Fields London

Saint Martin in the Fields London

Saint Martin in the Fields London

Saint Martin in the Fields London

Saint Martin in the Fields London

Saint Martin in the Fields London

Saint Martin in the Fields London

Saint Martin in the Fields London

Previous London article: Having a drink in “The Old Bank of England”, London

Previous Church article: The Church of Gold or the San Marco Basilica, Venice

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Posted by FilipBlog at 18:00
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16 comments:

  1. Anonymous7 July 2013 at 18:17

    Een fantastisch gebouw en ik hoop dat de organisatie voldoende geld heeft om nog armen te helpen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dietmut7 July 2013 at 19:13

    mooie details Filip. Fijn dat de kerk aan vele armen onderdak geeft. Lieve groeten, Dietmut

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  3. ♥ Łucja-Maria ♥7 July 2013 at 19:55

    Fantastic photos. The beautiful capitals.
    Last slide is perfect,
    Greetings.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ginny Hartzler7 July 2013 at 21:21

    The ceilings and columns are very impressive, but it is that organ I love the most! Wouldn't you just love to hear it? Our church is a homeless shelter in the cold months. We put them up on cots in our fellowship hall.

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  5. papillon7 July 2013 at 21:47

    We have never (except at the airport)been to London. But your pictures gives us desire to go there. Have a nice week.
    J+C

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kmcblackburn7 July 2013 at 23:32

    Ahhhhh, you are giving me the itch to travel! My husband is not happy with you :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. 黄清华 Wong Ching Wah8 July 2013 at 02:10

    Peaceful when I see these pictures especially interior of it !

    ReplyDelete
  8. ChrisAu8 July 2013 at 03:01

    Praise the Lord! That's a beautiful church!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Adam8 July 2013 at 03:22

    nice church

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rosemary8 July 2013 at 10:05

    Your interior shots show St. Martins-in-the-fields off to perfection.

    ReplyDelete
  11. gootchai8 July 2013 at 10:54

    Superbe effectivement un très bel article avec de superbes photos!! bisousssssssss

    ReplyDelete
  12. willy8 July 2013 at 11:40

    langs de buitenzijde een klassiek gebouw, zoals je er Londen heel wat ziet...

    prachtige en rijk versierde plafonds; die je bijzonder goed in beeld bracht

    groeten


    ReplyDelete
  13. Cezar and Léia8 July 2013 at 11:56

    The organ and the chandelier are outstanding!
    Wonderful images!
    Léia

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  14. Margaret D8 July 2013 at 13:00

    That organ looks beautiful. Love to play it....it's wonderful that some homeless people have somewhere to sleep inside...church doors should always be open. I do like the simplicity of this church.

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  15. The Yum List8 July 2013 at 17:22

    I get a stiff neck in these places from always looking up. :-)

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  16. Jeanne8 July 2013 at 19:01

    Great shots, and how interesting that this church provides shelter to the homeless. Especially considering all of the amazing art in the building. I never had heard of the tradition with St Marten about giving candy to the children. Great tradition!

    ReplyDelete

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