St Martin Orgar

Ordgar, a Dane, left his mark on London. He gifted a church to St Paul’s canons. This church became known as St Martin Orgar. You’re standing right here where it once proudly stood, near Cannon Street in Martin Lane. St Martin Orgar isn’t here anymore, but its story echoes through time. The church’s name, a blend of its patron saint and its benefactor, speaks to its unique history. The church stood for centuries, possibly even mentioned in the children’s rhyme “Oranges and Lemons.” Then, disaster struck. The Great Fire of London in 1666 ravaged the city. St Martin Orgar suffered, losing much of its structure. The tower and part of the nave survived. The parish then merged with St Clement Eastcheap. The churchyard continued to serve the combined parish until 1853. The remaining structure of St Martin Orgar found new life. French Protestants restored and used it until 1820. Finally, most of the building was demolished. The resilient tower remained. It was rebuilt in 1851 to serve as the campanile of St Clement Eastcheap. A fragment of St Martin Orgar’s churchyard still exists south of the campanile. Imagine the lives lived here, the services held, the community that gathered within these walls. Though the building is gone, its story remains, a testament to London’s ever-evolving history.