Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
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Wikipedia
St Clement Danes is a church in the City of Westminster, London. It is situated outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand. The current building was completed in 1682 by Sir Christopher Wren.
The church 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. It is known as one of the two 'Island Churches', the other being St Mary-le-Strand.
[edit] History
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. King Harold I "Harefoot" was buried here in March 1040 after his body was disinterred by his briefly usurped brother Hartha-Canute, and thrown into the marshes bordering the Thames.
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 Christopher Wren. The steeple was added to the tower in the 18th century by James Gibbs.
German bombs almost destroyed the church on 10 May 1941. The outer walls, the tower and Gibbs's steeple, survived the bombing.
In 1844 St. Clement Danes School was constructed on land on Houghton Road, Holborn which the churchwardens had purchased in 1552. It opened in 1862 and remained there until 1928, then moved to Shepherd's Bush until 1975, when it was finally re-established as a comprehensive school in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.
[edit] Central Church of the Royal Air Force
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"
[edit] Statues
Outside the church stand statues of two of the RAF's wartime leaders, Arthur Harris and Hugh Dowding.
[edit] Memorials
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.
[edit] Donations and Artifacts
In the gallery hang Queen's Colours and Standards which have been replaced, along with standards of several disbanded squadrons (most standards of disbanded squadrons hang in the rotunda of the RAF College Cranwell).
The church's organ, situated facing the altar in the gallery, was a gift from the United States Air Force. Pulpits, pews and chairs in the body of the church have been presented by various people, including past Chiefs of the Air Staff, Sir Douglas Bader, the Guinea Pig Club. The lectern was a gift from the Royal Australian Air Force, the Cross from the Air Training Corps, the altar from the Netherlands embassy. Also from the Netherlands is the font in the crypt, donated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
[edit] School
The church has set up a primary school and a secondary school. The primary school is placed around the corner from the church on the Strand in London. The secondary school is in Hertfordshire, built in 1976 in Chorleywood.
[edit] In fiction
The statue of Dr Samuel Johnson at the eastern end of the church land, comes to life as the character 'Dictionary', in Charlie Fletcher's children's book about unLondon Stoneheart.
[edit] See also
- List of churches and cathedrals of London
- William Webb Ellis, Rector of the Church, often credited with the invention of Rugby football
- St. Clement Danes is at coordinates Coordinates:
- The Font in the Crypy was donated by the Royal Nowegian Air Force.
- The Paschal Candle was given by the Begian Air Force
[edit] External links
Annotations
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Judging by a map in Latham & Matthews this is the approxmiate position of where the church stood.
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A History of St Clement Danes Church
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A660269
A discussion about whether this St. Clements is the one of the ‘Oranges and Lemons’ Nursery Rhyme fame.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A696125 -
Separated Church and Churchyard
The church, interestingly enough, seems to be separated from its churchyard. I wonder if this was the case before the great fire? Here is its location on a London map of 1746 (note how far apart the churchyard and the church are from each other):
http://www.motco.com/Map/81002/SeriesSearchPlatesFulla.asp?mode=query&artist=384&other=315&x=11&y=11
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St. Clement Danes in the Strand, is a Church dedicated to Clement, Bishop of Rome, who was Martyr’d Anno 100, and his Day is annually celebrated Nov. 4. And it’s called Danes, because in the Days of Canutes, and other Danish Kings, it belong’d to the Danes, herein they buried their Dead, and particuary Harold, the eldest Son of Canutus, and his Successor, dying at Oxford, was buried at Westminster; but some few months afterwards, was taken up, beheaded, and flung into the Thames, by the order of Hardicanute, his half Brother and Successor; but afterwards taken up again by some Fishermen, and buried here in 1040; wherefore it must be at least 700 Years old; but being greatly decayed, was pulled down Anno 1680, and rebuilt and finished all of Stone, by the Parishioners, in 1682.
—- W. Stow 1722 -
My father was with the RCAF Squadron 431 (Iroquois) when his Wellington Bomber was shot down over the Netherlands. All five including him were killed. That occurred on June 12, 1943.
His name may be included in the Book of Rememberance. It is in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Canada.
A copy of that page would be most appreciated.Thank you.
Earle Rheaume
Ottawa, Canada -
Separated Churchyard-St.Clement Danes
The churchyard shown on the map is less than 100 yards from the church. The church has always stood on an “island” between 2 roads.No space.