St Martin's & St Paul's
Parish Canterbury
St Martin's Church
Welcome to the part of our website for St Martin's Church in Canterbury
St. Martin' Church is the oldest Church in in the English speaking world still used for worship. It was here that St. Augustine set up his mission when he arrived from Rome in 597 AD to convert the English. For this reason it is sometimes called the first church of the Anglican Communion, and forms part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site- the other two parts are Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine's Abbey. More information about St. Martin's Church is available to clicking the buttons on the left.
The image above comes from Canterbury Cathedral and shows St Martin cutting his cloak in two to help a needy beggar. this is just one of the many fine stained glass windows in the cathedral. Also here is a plan and photographs of the church.
There is a service each Sunday morning at 9.00 am and on Thursdays at 12 noon, and you will be very welcome to join us.
The church is open for visiting at the following times:
- Tuesdays: 11.00 am - 3.00 pm
- Thursdays: 11.00 am - 3.00 pm
- Saturdays: 11.00 am - 3.00 pm
- Sundays: 9.50 am approx - 10.30 am
An account of the Life of St Martin by Sulpicius Severus can be found by clicking here
Click here to find a guide to St Martin's Church en Français or auf Deutsch.
Novena at St Martin's
St. Martin's Church will be open for prayer daily during the nine days from Ascension to Pentecost (Friday 18th May to Saturday 26th May inclusive) at the following times:
11.00 am - 1.00 pm with a short liturgy at 12 noon
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm with a short liturgy at 7.00 pm.
This pattern is the same on Sunday 20th May but is varied on Thursday 24th May when there will be no evening session at St. Martin's. Instead, there will be a Eucharist celebrating St. Augustine's Day, beginning at St. Martin's at 5.40 pm and then processing to St. Augustine's Abbey.
There will be two prayer stations set up in the church, as well as prayer cards and other resources to help individuals focus their prayers.
This invitation to pray has been extended to other churches in and around Canterbury. Representatives of various churches will be leading some of the short liturgies.
You are warmly invited to come and pray. The intent is to deepen our awareness of God's welcome as we wait for renewal in his presence, opening ourselves to God's love and God's energy.
The card that has been sent out to the diocese says "Pray expecting the Holy Spirit to come in new ways, waiting for God's renewal and encouraging one another as we seek to offer Jesus' welcome to others". Additional resources may be found here.
Updated 20 May 12
© PCC St Martin's and St Paul's Canterbury 2008 - 2011
