ST. MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."] SIE,—Our present church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is just two hundred years old, and during the coming week we hope to commemorate the hi-centenary in such a manner that we, and all who care for St. Martin's, may express gratitude for all that the church has meant during the two hundred years of its existence. The festival will begin on Sunday, and throughout the week the services within the church will, it is hoped, focus all that is done elsewhere. On every day except Friday, which is St. Martin's Day and Armistice Day, the pageant, which Mr. Laurence Housman has written for us, will be Performed at the Church House, Westminster. On November 11th we hope to make an Act of Remembrance at the Central Hall. Westminster, at 6.30. and later in the evening
k go in procession through the parish. Owing to the kindness of Sir Oswald Stoll our final meeting on Sunday week will be held in the Coliseum.
As your readers are doubtless aware, the present church was built in accordance with a special Act of Parliament which empowered the Rebuilding Commissioners to levy a rate on the inhabitants. James Gibbs was one of several candidates for the post of architect, and the'Commissioneis, influenced no doubt by the esteem in which his master, Sir Christopher Wren, was held, put the work into his hands. Our churchwardens' accounts show that the work of rebuilding, which occupied the years 1721 to 1731, cost £33,661 16s. na., of which £632 4s. 6d. was paid to Gibbs. Some of the critics of the day found fault with Gibbs for introducing improper modification into the Corinthian order, and in particular objected that the steeple appeared to stand upon the roof and to want support. But most contemporary opinion acclaimed it as a really notable work. To-day, St. Martin's is regarded as one of the finest churches in the Greek style and certainly the best example of the work of James Gibbs. Unfortunately, in later times many of Gibbs' intentions were departed from, and much ill- judged decoration has overlaid the original scheme of work. It is, in part, to redecorate the church in sympathy with Gibbs's intention and to eliminate the later colour and ornament, which are unworthy of the church's beautiful pro- portions, that we are striving during the coming week to raise the large sum of £12,500. The church also needs relighting, ventilating, and heating, and there is a good deal of urgent work of repair to the fabric to be done. In particular, the existing frame of our bells is so worn that it has had to be propped up! Further, ten of the twelve bells swing in the same direction, to the great danger of the steeple.
We have already received a great many contributions, among them gifts from the King, Queen Alexandra, and the Prince of Wales. Most of the sums are small and home from persons widely scattered over the Kingdom and in America and the Colonies. Some of the letters that accompany them are touch- ing in the extreme, and, whilst they are a source of immense encouragement, show how great is the need for such work as it has been permitted to St. Martin's to do. No one knows better than I do how much more it might have done during the past few years. But none of our plans must be alloired to obscure the real purpose of the celebrations. If the week becomes one of mere empty boasting and self-satisfaction it will be but an episode. If, however, it is observed in the right spirit, our trust is that it may be the opening of a new chapter in the history of our church—a chapter of service to men and women in every stage of life and experience.—I am, Sir, &c.,
St. 3Iartin's Vicarage, Trafalgar Square.
H. R. L. SHEPPARD.
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