AT THE HEART AND ON THE EDGE At the heart of London’s faith and culture. Helping those on the edge of society. At the cutting edge of the arts and social enterprise.
SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER 2026
Find out more at
smitf.org
AT THE HEART AND ON THE EDGE In 2026, St Martin-in-theFields celebrates a momentous milestone: the 300th anniversary of its iconic James Gibbs designed building. Since the completion of this architectural masterpiece in 1726, the church has stood as a beacon in the heart of London, evolving from a literal church “in the fields” to a global landmark in Trafalgar Square. It has also long turned outwards towards people on the edge of society, offering refuge, welcome and practical care for those experiencing poverty and exclusion. It’s also a church on the cutting edge; it was quick to embrace new technologies and was one of the first churches to turn its Crypt into a café, shop and events space setting up a social enterprise alongside its worship and social outreach.
To honour three centuries of heritage, our 2026 anniversary season features an extraordinary programme of classical concerts, celebratory services, community events and a flower festival. It also features an onsite exhibition of key historical objects beautifully displayed in our foyer. Some of this historical content will also be reflected online as we build up an online record of our archive collection. We would also love you to be part of the celebration by sending us ‘Your St Martin’s Story’. Please upload any photos, stories or mementos to the website. So, join us in person or online and help us celebrate the past the present and the future of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
UNTIL SUN 15 NOV
FREE EXHIBITION
St Martin-in-the-Fields: 300 Years at the Heart and on the Edge Visit the free exhibition in our foyer to experience 300 years of St Martin’s stories and see a wide range of unique objects and extraordinary video footage. We are also running family days in September and October; bring the little ones to join in our hands on activities. Experience our new audio guide, launching to coincide with the exhibition; explore seven sites in and around the church and crypt. Available via a QR code onsite or listen remotely on the website. Outside, on the edge of Trafalgar Square, there is an outdoor photographic exhibition created by Jane Lloyd using the sketchbook of congregant Vanessa Tinker as inspiration. The images capture 15 individuals’ answer to the question: Why did you come? Why have you stayed?
THU 17 SEP, 7:30PM The Journey: 25 Years of Tenebrae Tenebrae celebrates 25 years of world-class singing with highlights of their journey through the past, present and future of vocal music.
SAT 19 SEP, 10AM-4PM Open House Join us for a day of free activities including church and wider site tours and the chance to climb the many steps to the bell tower. Experience our secret garden or spend some quiet time sketching.
Listen to a rehearsal for our evening concert: Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight. Get 20% off concert tickets for the actual performance by showing your Open House programme. Crypt Cafe and 300th Exhibition will be closed on this date.
THU 24 SEP, 7:30PM The Fire that Binds Us: Carice Singers at 15
SAT 19 SEP Family Activity: Marvellous Maps, The Past, Present and Future of St Martin’s
The Carice Singers perform Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms – a thrilling conclusion to an evening that embraces five centuries of sacred music at its boldest and most vital, in celebration of their 15th anniversary.
Location: TBC
Drop in to learn how St Martin’s has served the local community throughout history. Build a 3D map and see where St Martin’s School, local bath houses, police stations, almshouses, and the local workhouse were situated. Suitable for children aged 5-13. Crypt Cafe and 300th Exhibition will be closed on this date.
SAT 3 OCT, 7:30PM Courageous Change: Windborne in Concert Experience the power of music and activism with USA acappella group Windborne, who bring their signature harmonies to life in songs that resonate with courage, empathy, and hope.
THU 15 – SUN 18 OCT, 10AM–5PM
FLOWERS-INTHE-FIELDS Location: Church
Don’t miss James Gibbs’ beautiful Georgian building made even more stunning by wonderful flower displays in our unique Flower Festival. Swathes of gorgeous blooms arranged by UK and International designers will bring the building to life under the direction of our acclaimed Festival Director, author and teacher Judith Blacklock. Displays will reflect the richness of St Martin’s community life. See St Martin’s as you have never seen it before. Entry is free but donations are strongly encouraged. Also, as part of the festival, join one of our flower arranging demonstrations in the atmospheric 300-year-old Gallery and be inspired by highly-experienced designers. Choose from eleven sessions across three days (15-17 Oct). There is a wealth of experience and talent, so you are sure to find a demonstration that’s right for you. Come and learn from an industry veteran and discover fresh approaches from young designers.
THU 8 OCT, 7PM London Voices: Video Games Go Choral Halo meets Howells and BioShock Infinite encounters Arvo Pärt, as London Voices explores the fantastic world where choral music meets video gaming.
FRI 9 OCT, 7:30PM SANSARA: Choral reflections for World Homeless Day Bryars’ Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet On the eve of World Homeless Day, SANSARA performs Gavin Bryars’s ultimate outsider classic.
THU 15 OCT, 7PM St Martin’s Baroque Classics St Martin’s Voices and Chamber Ensemble present Baroque anthems and instrumental works from the church’s earliest years, featuring music by composers such as Handel, Boyce and Turner.
SAT 17 OCT, 11AM Family Activity: Messages from the Heart
Location: Dick Sheppard Chapel St Martin’s has always embraced new technology to communicate it’s message and music with the world. Have fun as a family rediscovering analogue electronics and see if your child can use compact-discs, vinyl records and cassette tapes. Let them play music from a library of vintage media in the church’s archive then work as a family to record a message to share with the world. Suitable for children aged 5-13
FRI 16 OCT, 7PM The English Concert: Handel’s Scipione Harry Bicket director Lucy Crowe soprano Chelsea Zurflüh soprano Jake Ingbar countertenor Archie Inns tenor In 1726, Handel’s Scipione thrilled London audiences; 300 years later, its tale of love, jealousy, honour and passion returns with Harry Bicket, The English Concert and an all-star cast.
SUN 18 OCT, 10AM
A CELEBRATION OF THREE HUNDRED YEARS Marking the tercentenary of the consecration of James Gibbs’ historic and hugely influential building, the service will focus on a grand procession of organisations that trace their origins to St Martin-in-the-Fields. There will be addresses from key representatives of some of the organisations and a sermon from Revd Dr Sam Wells.
St Martin’s Choral Scholars St Martin’s Chamber Orchestra Olivia Tait conductor
SAT 17 OCT, 7PM Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius Robin Bailey Gerontius Helen Stanley Angel Peter Edge Priest / Angel of the Agony Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields St Martin’s Chamber Choir
A monumental candlelit performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. Featuring the Choir of St Martinin-the-Fields, Chamber Choir, Choral Scholars, and Chamber Orchestra. In Iain Farrington’s inventive arrangement, all of Elgar’s original vocal lines are retained, preserving the full expressive power of this iconic British choral masterpiece. This two-hour concert brings one of Britain’s greatest choral masterpieces vividly to life.
THU 22 OCT, 7:30PM Ex Cathedra – In 40 parts: Spem in alium Ex Cathedra sings Tallis’s soaring Spem in Alium, plus other 40-part masterpieces inspired by this awesome work, including a commission from Roderick Williams.
FRI 23 OCT, 7:30PM The 12 Ensemble James McVinnie: Poulenc Organ Concerto Poulenc’s wild and wonderful Organ Concerto raises the roof: just the climax of a voyage of spiritually-charged sounds from The 12 Ensemble and organist James McVinnie.
FRI 30 OCT, 7:30PM The Kings Singers: The Voice of Humanity – Finding Harmony The King’s Singers celebrate St Martin-in-the-Fields’ 300th birthday with all their inimitable warmth and flair as they trace a history that shows just how powerful singing together has been across the globe.
WED 11 NOV, 5PM St Martin’s Day Evensong Join us for a special Choral Evensong for the feast day of Martin, Bishop of Tours, who died circa 397AD, after whom our church is named. The service will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 at 3pm. The service is not ticketed. Please be seated by 2.45pm.
THU 12 NOV, 7PM
300TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Danielle de Niese soprano Aaron Azunda Akugbo trumpet Clive Myrie compère Academy of St Martin in the Fields St Martin’s Voices Musicians from National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Philip Wilby The Ever-Open Door – Fanfare for St Martins (world premiere) Handel Coronation Anthem, Zadok the Priest, Piangerò la sorte mia (from Julius Caesar) John Rutter Lord thou has been our refuge Britten Prelude and Fugue for 18 Strings Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music Lucy Walker A Hymn to St Cecilia Parry I was Glad In 1726, King George I was on the throne, Voltaire sought asylum in Britain and Handel’s Alessandro was rocking the London stage. And in a part of London that wasn’t yet known as Trafalgar Square, a church was completed that would become the living heart of the capital’s spiritual and musical life. An evening like this comes only once every three centuries. St Martin-in-theFields’ own professional choir comes together with the orchestra that took its name from the church plus established and emerging stars of 21st century music – Danielle de Niese and Aaron Azunda Akugbo – for a pageant of music celebrating the 300th anniversary of the nation’s parish church.
Handel loved Theodora more than any of his other oratorios, and with Iestyn Davies singing in this concert staging with the Monteverdi Choir, you’re about to hear why.
THU 19 NOV, 7PM Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists: Handel’s Theodora
Handel rated his oratorio Theodora more highly than the Messiah, and this heartfelt tale of persecution and martyrdom has often been put on stage. This dramatised concert performance brings the best of both worlds to a work that Handel himself regarded as his favourite.
FRI 20 NOV, 7:30PM I Fagiolini: Monteverdi L’Orfeo L’Orfeo: Monteverdi’s pioneering opera, brought to vibrant, heartmelting life by Robert Hollingsworth and the virtuoso singers of I Fagiolini.
FRI 4 DEC, 7:30PM BBC Singers and Britten Sinfonia: Britten St Nicholas 50 years to the day since his death in 1976, the Britten Sinfonia and BBC Singers unleash the irrepressible life-force of Britten’s St Nicholas, the story of the saint who inspired the figure of Santa Claus.
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The exhibition St Martin-in-the-Fields: 300 Years at the Heart and on the Edge is made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we have been able to bring to life 300 years of St Martin’s history. The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Find out more at
smitf.org