Trafalgar Square’s St Martin-in-the-Fields gives up secrets of its stones
Summary
St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London is celebrating its 300th anniversary by revealing new stories from its memorial stones. These stones tell us about people from the past, including Black voters from the 1700s and a young African man likely enslaved in the early 1800s. The church is also sharing its history as a place connected to protest, activism, and community services.Key Facts
- St Martin-in-the-Fields church is located at Trafalgar Square in London and is 300 years old.
- Memorial stones in the church reveal hidden stories of ordinary Londoners, including early Black voters.
- William Fatt, a chimney sweep and son of another Black chimney sweep, voted in the 1749 Westminster byelection, making him one of the earliest known Black voters in Britain.
- A memorial stone honors Richard James Said, a 19-year-old African who died in 1810 and may have been enslaved.
- The church has been a center for activism, protest, and social causes, such as anti-apartheid protests and the origins of Amnesty International and Shelter.
- Some gravestones were moved during construction and reused inside the church’s crypt and walls.
- The church launched London’s first free lending library and had innovative audio services in the 1890s.
- Artifacts like a royal chair used by Queen Mary and the Lampedusa Cross are displayed in the church, symbolizing its long and diverse history.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.