A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR RAF FAMILIES
The Oranges and Lemons Church
Greetings from the Central Church of the Royal Air Force, St Clement Danes in the heart of London. We are also known as the ‘Oranges and Lemons’ church (as in the song) because of the market that used to set up outside the churchyard.
names of loved ones in the Books of Remembrance – they contain the names of all those who have died in service in the RAF for whatever reason, since the RAF was founded in 1918.
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Other people simply drop in, whilst passing by. And, of course many thousands come each year to the church services, commemorations, weddings, baptisms and memorial services that are held here.
Just so you know what to expect I thought I’d quickly skip through the church’s history.
We know there was a church on this site in 878 because King Alfred had problems with his soldiers marrying Danish women, so he made them all worship in the small wooden church of St Clement, just outside the city walls.
The church was rebuilt in William the Conqueror’s time, became a Templar church, a society church, and survived the great Fire in 1666. Shortly afterwards the church was completely rebuilt, again, this time by Christopher Wren.
It became the favourite church of many of the famous people of the eighteenth century, including James Boswell and Dr Samuel Johnson, the inventor of the dictionary. In the middle of that century the rector was none other than William Webb-Ellis, famous
www.raf-ff.org.uk
s the family church of the RAF we welcome thousands of visitors each year. Many come to view the
for playing soccer at Rugby school and one day deciding to take up the ball in his hands and run with it. (The Rugby World Cup is still called the William Webb-Ellis trophy.)
We move to the night of 10th/11th May 1941, the last night of the Blitz. During one of the final Luftwaffe raids, incendiary bombs landed on the roof of St Clement Danes, burnt through the ceiling and destroyed the entire interior.
The church lay derelict for a decade before the Diocese of London and the RAF came to an agreement; the church would be rebuilt as a permanent memorial to all those who have served in the RAF and have given their lives in that service.
Donations and gifts poured in from all over the world and the church was rebuilt and restored to its former glory. It was re- dedicated in October 1958 and has been in continual use ever since.
Set in its own island in the Strand, just by the Law Courts, it features on many news broadcasts as journalists struggle to make themselves heard above the noise of the bells.
The church is a real oasis of peace and quiet in the heart of a thriving metropolis, a sanctuary that is appreciated by huge numbers of visitors.
Just to give you a flavour of who has visited recently; several Force Development Sqns, WW2 Bomber Command veterans from all over the
world, especially official groups from Australia and Canada, the RAF Widows’ Association for their 20th anniversary, London Transport Workers, giving thanks for a successful Games period, St Clement Danes Primary School, in Drury Lane, for their end of year service.
Lots of things happen close to the church and just to prove it, look at photos from this Summer!
Everyone is welcome to your RAF Central Church; why not drop in and visit us next time you are in London? If you are lucky you might even catch one of the many carol services that take place in Advent; but if you miss those then you’ll still see the magnificent Christmas tree.
We are open everyday, except Bank Holidays from 9am to 4pm.
Sunday service is 11am and alternates between Morning Prayer and Choral Eucharist: we have a professional choir and organist so the music is always fantastic.
We are also on the Harry Potter trail (ask the vergers to show you the rat tails, then point you in the direction of Gringot’s Bank). Or you might like to see the coffin chains, down in the crypt…
Call us for further information on: 0207 242 8282.
We’d love to see you soon. Padre David Osborn, Resident Chaplain
Envoy Winter 2012 19
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