Canterbury: St Martin

Name:
Canterbury: St Martin
Record Type:
Major Parish Church
Church code:
606051
Diocese:
Canterbury
Archdeaconry:
Canterbury
Parish:
St. Martin and St. Paul Canterbury

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?
This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?
There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

The church is in the following Conservation Area: St Martin's, Canterbury

Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?
This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
 

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:
Early Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior Photograph of 606051 Canterbury: St Martin
Caption:
Exterior Photograph of 606051 Canterbury: St Martin
Description:
Photograph Taken on 2 July 2019
Year / Date:
2019
Copyright:
Noisar (www.geograph.org.uk)
Originator:
Noisar (www.geograph.org.uk)

Summary Description

St Martin's, Canterbury, is part of the Canterbury world heritage site and is the oldest church in England still being used for its original purpose. It was founded in approximately AD597 and originally functioned as the private chapel of Queen Bertha of Kent. Queen Bertha was a Christian married to the pagan King Ethelbert. She is said to have prayed for the missionaries being sent from Rome, including Augustine, who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. It was here that St Augustine set up his mission when he arrived from Rome in AD597 to convert the English. Much of the building seen today is later additions, although you can see Toman brick in the nave wall. The remains of a Roman tomb have also been incorporated into the building.

Visiting and Facilities

The church is open for worship.
The church is open daily for worship and is free to visitors 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Live music/concerts. Regular choir. Guided tours and guidebooks/notes available.
 

Church Website

Church Website:
http://www.martinpaul.org

Sources and Further Information

User 'Osoom' on Wikimedia Commons (July 2008) Exterior image of 606051 Canterbury St Martin [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 606051 Canterbury St Martin
CWGC (2016) Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC Unique File Reference Number: 9746 [Bibliography/Data]
Number of War Graves: 11
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11921/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
Noisar (www.geograph.org.uk) (2019) Exterior Photograph of 606051 Canterbury: St Martin [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior Photograph of 606051 Canterbury: St Martin
Jordy Schaap (2018) Interior Photograph of 606051 Canterbury: St Martin [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior Photograph of 606051 Canterbury: St Martin
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 3 Bells [Archive/Index]
3 Bells