St Martin's Church, Parish church in Canterbury, England
Description
St Martin's Church is a parish church in Canterbury that blends Anglo-Saxon architecture with Roman bricks built into its stone walls. The building features a 14th-century bell tower and stands as a Grade I listed structure of significant heritage value.
History
The building was converted into a Christian place of worship around 580 AD by Queen Bertha of Kent, making it the first church built in England. This early establishment laid the foundation for Christianity's spread throughout the country.
Culture
The church continues as an active parish today and marks where Christianity first took hold in Anglo-Saxon England. Visitors can sense this historical religious role through the building itself and the people who still gather here for worship.
Practical
The church sits near Canterbury East railway station and opens Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Admission is free, so you can explore both the interior and surrounding grounds at your own pace.
Did you know?
The interior contains original Roman materials and medieval frescoes that reveal the site's long history. The largest of its three bells dates back to 1393 and still rings on special occasions today.
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