St Martin's Church

Welcome to Saint Martin’s Church in Canterbury, a site of unparalleled historical significance. We are standing at what can be described as 'ground zero' for the English-speaking Christian world. …

Standing outside the chancel, we are confronted with the physical evidence of Saint Martin’s Roman origins. Look closely at the masonry: you will see thin, red, flat bricks. …

Walking around the southern side of the church, we encounter an ancient, narrow opening: the Saxon doorway. This simple archway is thought to be one of the original entrances to the church during the time of Queen Bertha and…

Stepping inside the church, our attention is immediately drawn to the ancient stone font near the entrance. While the base and some of the carving date from the Norman period (the twelfth century), local tradition and some…

Moving toward the front of the church, we pass under the chancel arch, a feature that reveals the medieval expansion of the building. The arch contains very early medieval masonry, possibly dating to the eleventh or twelfth…

The graveyard surrounding Saint Martin’s is a place of profound atmospheric beauty, where the tombstones lean and twist at evocative angles. This sacred ground has witnessed the entire scope of English history, from Viking raids…

Our final stop brings us to the base of the West Tower. While the tower itself is a later addition—primarily fourteenth and fifteenth century—it offers a vantage point to reflect on the church’s strategic position. …

As we conclude our walk through Saint Martin’s Church, we find ourselves standing in a space that has witnessed the birth of the English language and the formation of the English state. This building is a physical manifestation…

As we conclude our walk through Saint Martin’s Church, we find ourselves standing in a space that has witnessed the birth of the English language and the formation of the English state. This building is a physical manifestation…