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.
JUNE to DECEMBER 2026
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 Some of this historical content will also be reflected online as we build up an online record of our archive collection.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 this link www.smitf/st-martin-in-thefields-at-300.
So, join us in person or online and help us celebrate the past the present and the future of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
THU 18 JUN, 6:45pm
Pre-concert talk in partnership with Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras
Join conductor Peter Whelan and historian Katherine Alcock for a fascinating discussion about Georgian London and Haydn’s life in the city.
THU 18 JUN, 7:30pm
Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras: Haydn in London
A programme of music written and first performed within a stone’s throw of this wondrous building shortly after the church was built.
SAT 20 JUN, 10:30am
London Festival of Architecture 2026: Belonging
We are delighted to be part of LFA 2026. A month-long celebration of
architecture and city-making. On Saturday 20 June, we are offering free guided tours of the building, plus the opportunity to sketch this iconic landmark. See a free open rehearsal of Brahms Requiem by Candlelight plus get 20% off concert tickets for the actual performance by showing your LFA programme. Look out for discounts in the café and enjoy 10% off brass rubbing.
SAT 20 & SUN 21 JUNE
Hands on History: Mudlarking Festival
Location: St Martin’s Hall
Over 40 Mudlarks will display thousands of personal, Thamesforeshore finds in the historic church’s interior.
SUNDAY 21 JUNE, 11am
Family Activity: Marvellous Maps, The Past, Present and Future of St Martin’s
Location: Dick Sheppard Chapel
Drop in to learn how St Martin-inthe-Fields’ has served the local community throughout history.
Build a 3D map and see where St Martin’s School, local bath houses, police stations, alms-houses, and the local workhouse were situated.
Suitable for children aged 5-13
WED 24 JUN – 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 four family days across the duration of the exhibition; 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 will be an outdoor photographic exhibition created by Jane Lloyd using the sketchbook of congregant Vanessa Tinker as inspiration. The images will capture 15 individuals’ answer to the question: Why did you come? Why have you stayed?
SUN 19 JUL, 11am Family Activity: Messages from the Heart
Location: Lightwell
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
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 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, flower arranging or brass rubbing. Join a service and sing-along to your favourite hymns or 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. Look out for discounts in the café and 10% off brass rubbing.
SAT 19 SEP
Family Activity: Marvellous Maps, The Past, Present and Future of St Martin’s Location: Dick Sheppard Chapel
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
THU 24 SEP, 7:30pm
The Fire that Binds Us: Carice Singers at 15
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.
SAT 3 OCT, 7:30pm
Courageous Change: Windborne in Concert
Experience the power of music and activism with USA cappella group Windborne, who bring their signature harmonies to life in songs that resonate with courage, empathy, and hope.
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–SUN 18 OCT, 10am–5pm
Flowers-in-the-Fields
Location: Church
Don’t miss James Gibbs’ beautiful Georgian church made even more stunning by wonderful flower displays. Swathes of gorgeous blooms will bring the church to life and tell the story of the community. See St Martin’s as you have never seen it before. Free entry with donations welcome.
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.
FRI 16 OCT, 7pm
The English Concert: Handel’s Scipione
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.
FRI 16 - SAT 17 OCT, 11am
Flower Arranging Demonstrations
Join our flower arranging demonstrations in the St. Martin’s Hall. There will be four or five sessions on both days, which will be led by highly experienced designers.
SAT 17 OCT, 11am
Family Activity: Messages from the Heart Location: Lightwell
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
SAT 17 OCT, 7pm
Elgar: Dream of Gerontius
A monumental candlelit performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. Featuring the Choir of St Martin-inthe-Fields, Chamber Choir, Choral Scholars, and Chamber Orchestra. This two-hour concert brings one of Britain’s greatest choral masterpieces vividly to life.
SUN 18 OCT, 10am Church Service:
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-inthe-Fields. There will be addresses from representatives of some of the organisations and a sermon from Revd Dr Sam Wells. The service will be followed by a reception.
THU 22 OCT, 7:30pm
Ex Cathedra – In 40 parts: Spem in alium
Ex Cathedra sings Tallis’s soaring Spem in Alium, plus other 40part 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
Church Service: Patronal Day Evensong
A reflective service of Choral Evensong blending music and scripture, offering a peaceful pause in the day. Sung by the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
THU 12 NOV, 7pm
300th Anniversary Concert
featuring: 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
In 1726, King George II 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-inthe-Fields’ 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.
THU 19 NOV, 7pm
Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists: Handel’s Theodora
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.
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.
