St. Clement Danes, Strand
St Clement Danes is a church (just) within the City of Westminster, London. It is situated outside the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ) on (the) Strand. The current building was completed in 1682 by Sir Christopher Wren, famous for so much of London’s architecture. As I walk by St Clement Danes every day, examining it’s pitted battle scared walls, it’s statues (Outside the church stand statues of two of the RAF's wartime leaders, Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris and Hugh Dowding) and it perilous position in the middle of Strand I am impressed by it's history and location. St Clements is sometimes claimed to be the one featured in the nursery rhyme 'Oranges and Lemons' and the bells do indeed play that tune. However, St Clement Eastcheap, in the City of London, also claims to be the church from the rhyme and my research has revealed that this is correct. SM ---------------------------------------------------------
The first church on the site is supposed to have been built by Danes living nearby in the 9th century. The location, on the river between the City of London and the future site of Westminster, was home to many Danes at a time when half of England was Danish; being a seafaring race, the Danes named the church they built after St Clement, patron saint of mariners.
The church was first rebuilt by William the Conqueror, and then again in the Middle Ages. It was in such a bad state by the end of the 17th century that it was demolished and again rebuilt, this time by Wren. The steeple was added to the tower in the 18th century by James Gibbs.
Nazi bombs almost destroyed the church on 10 May 1941. The outer walls, the tower and Gibbs's steeple, survived the bombing. Worth a look on the north side and place your hand to feel the damage.
Following an appeal for funds by the Royal Air Force, the church was completely restored and was re-consecrated on 19 October 1958 to become the Central Church of the Royal Air Force.
Services are regularly held to commemorate prominent occasions of the RAF and its associated organisations. There are also features throughout and outside the building commemorating people and units of the RAF.
As part of the rebuilding, a Latin inscription was added over the main door of the church, translating as:
"Built by Christopher Wren 1682. Destroyed by the thunderbolts of air warfare 1941. Restored by the Royal Air Force 1958"
The floor of the church, of Welsh slate, is inscribed with the badges of over 800 RAF commands, groups, stations, squadrons and other formations. Near the entrance door is a ring of the badges of Commonwealth air forces, surrounding the badge of the RAF.
A memorial to the Polish airmen and squadrons who fought in the defence of the UK and the liberation of Europe in World War II is positioned on the floor of the north aisle.
Books of Remembrance listing the names of all the RAF personnel who have died in service, as well as those American airman based in the UK who died during World War Two.Near the altar are plaques listing the names of RAF and RFC personnel awarded the Victoria Cross and the George Cross.
It’s beauty and sense of purpose are clear, if lost to many who just walk on by. It is not a St Pauls, the scale and location prevent that, but it is a hidden gem on Strand which has a sense of place and stilness.
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*Drama* (17.10.06 17:46) An interesting and intelligent article. thank you |
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FleetStreetGuy (17.10.06 20:01) Hello we must meet up! Just blogging down road Andy |
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pietscully / Website (17.10.06 22:24) I always used to tell tourists on my tours about St Clement Dane not being the right one, but that it was Eastcheap, but nobody seemed to care all that much. This is an interesting blog; Fleet Street and Strand are probably my favourite London roads. Thanks for doing this. |
