Other news
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| © David Lindsay |
Church Path re-opens
On 14 October 2009, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Louise Hyams, returned from holiday to open St Martin's Church Path to the public. The Renewal has created a much enhanced thoroughfare, spacious and well lit at night. The Lord Mayor was enthusiastic about the new public pathway, stating:
"I am thrilled that the renovation of St Martin's is very nearly complete and that this beautiful church has been restored to its former glory in its prominent location adjacent to Trafalgar Square. It is also excellent that a delightful open space for all to enjoy has been created next to the church with a magnificent glass entrance lobby that leads down in to the wonderful new facilities underneath."
From Winchester to Beachy Head
At the end of October 2009 Revd Nicholas Holtam, Vicar of St Martin's, embarked on a courageous week-long 100 mile sponsored walk across the South Downs Way, in a bid to raise £100,000 to help finish the Renewal Project. "The walk was glorious and the weather much better than might have been expected in late October! The support I received was a great encouragement. I am not sure I could have done all 100 miles without it. I feel quite proud of the walk, as together we have raised over £105,000!"
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| Archbishop Desmond Tutu visits St Martin's in June © Tim Hiller |
Archbishop Tutu at St Martin’s
On Monday 9th June we were very honoured to have Archbishop Desmond Tutu come to visit and speak at a special service for peace which included the blessing of three new beautiful Zimbabwean sculptures.
A large crowd gathered around the light-well in our new underground spaces to hear Archbishop Tutu talk about conflict around the world, and more specifically in Africa, and to pray together for peace. The Archbishop then blessed three new sculptures of Mary, Joseph and the Angel carved from jacaranda wood by unknown Zimbabwean artists.
Whilst here, the Archbishop was also shown one of our new rooms, which we have named 'The Archbishop Desmond Tutu Room' in commemoration of the partnership between St Martin's and South Africa, both through the years of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and in building the New Nation.
HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall join us to celebrate at the Thanksgiving Service
On Monday 28th April St Martin-in-the-Fields held a special Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the completion of the building project. The service was attended by donors, Advisors, Trustees and members of the St Martin's community, who have all supported the project over the last ten years.
During the service the sermon was given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of Hong Kong led the prayers and the Bishop of London led a special commemoration of a donor board in the new light-well.
HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron of the Development Trust, attended with The Duchess of Cornwall and stayed afterwards to take part in a small ceremony to 'Top Out' the new glass pavilion, which will become the new entrance to the underground spaces.
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| The Archbishop of Hong Kong, the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury © David Lindsay 2008 | The Bishop of London leads the commemoration of the donor board © Mike Doherty 2008 | HRH The Prince of Wales takes part in the 'Topping Out' of the new glass entrance pavilion © Mike Doherty 2008 |
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| © David Lindsay 2008 |
East Window Update
The installation of our new East Window, designed by Turner Prize nominee Shirazeh Houshiary in collaboration with architect Pip Horne, is now complete. The new artwork, a striking and modern design commissioned by St Martin-in-the-Fields Parochial Church Council and Arts Advisory Panel (chaired by Sir Nicholas Goodison) replaces a window which was installed following World War II bomb damage.
The new window is one of the most significant pieces of religious art commissioned in modern times and has stirred up a lot of interest from press and public since its first unveiling. For more information about the new East window please click here.
