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St Clement Danes is a church in the "City of Westminster" London.
It is situated outside the "Royal Courts of Justice" on the Strand,
London" .The current building was completed in 1682 by Sir
Christopher_Wren" and it now functions as the central church of
the"Royal Air Force" The church is sometimes claimed to be the
one featured in the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons"and the
bells do indeed play that tune. It is known as one of the two 'Island
Churches', the other being "St Mary-le-Strand" The first church on
the site was reputedly founded by Danes living nearby in the 9th
century. The location, on the river between the City of London and
the future site of Westminster , was home to many Danes at a
time when half of England was Danish; being a seafaring race,
the Danes named the church they built after St Clement, of mariners. King Harold I "Harefoot" was buried here in March
1040 after his body was disinterred by his briefly usurped brother Hartha-Canute, and thrown into the marshes bordering
the Thames The church was first rebuilt by William the Conqueror , and then again in the Middle Ages . It was in such a
bad state by the end of the 17th century that it was demolished and again rebuilt from 1680-1682, this time by Christopher
Wren . The steeple was added to the 115 foot tower from 1719-1720 by James Gibbs . often credited with the invention of
Rugby football in 1823 was once rector of the church, and is commemorated by a memorial tablet.The church was almost
destroyed by German bombs during the London Blitz of 10 May 1941. The outer walls, the tower and Gibbs's steeple,
survived the bombing, but the interior was gutted by fire.
In 1844 St. Clement Danes School was constructed on land on
Houghton Road, Holborn which the churchwardens purchased
in 1552. It opened in 1862 and remained there until 1928,
then moved to Shepherd's Bush until 1975, when it was finally
re-established as a comprehensive school in Chorleywood
Following an appeal for funds by the Royal Air Force , the church was completely
restored and was re-consecrated on 19 October 1958 to become the
Central Church of the Royal Air Force.
Services are regularly held to commemorate prominent occasions of the RAF and
its associated organisations. There are also features throughout and outside the
building commemorating people and units of the RAF.
As part of the rebuilding, a inscription was added over the main door of the church,
translating as: "Built by Christopher Wren 1682. Destroyed by the thunderbolts of
air warfare 1941. Restored by the Royal Air Force 1958."
Statues
Outside the church stand statues of two of the RAF's wartime leaders, Arthur "Bomber" Harris
and Hugh Dowding The erection of the statue of Harris was controversial due to his
responsibility in the firebombing of Dresden and other bombing campaigns targeted at
civilians. Despite protests from Germany as well as some in Britain, the Bomber Harris Trust
(an RAF veterans' organisation) erected a statue of him outside the RAF Church of St.
Clement Danes in 1992. It was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother who looked
surprised when she was jeered by protesters. The line on the statue reads "The Nation owes
them all an immense debt". The statue had to be guarded by policemen day and night for
some time as it was frequently sprayed with graffiti.
Memorials
The floor of the church, of Welsh slate, is inscribed with the badges of over 800 RAF
commands, groups, stations, squadrons and other formations. Near the entrance door is a
ring of the badges of Commonwealth air forces , surrounding the badge of the Royal Air
Force A memorial to the Polish airmen and squadrons who fought in the defence of the
United Kingdom and the liberation of Europe in World War II is positioned on the floor of the
north aisle. Books of Remembrance listing the names of all the RAF personnel who have died
in service, as well as those American airmen based in the United Kingdom who died during
World War Two. Near the altar are plaques listing the names of RAF and RFC personnel
awarded the Victoria Cross of the Royal Air Force, and the George Cross .
Donations and artefacts In the gallery hang Queen's Colours and Standards which have been
replaced, along with standards of several disbanded squadrons (most standards of
disbanded squadrons hang in the rotunda of the RAF College Cranwell.
The church's organ, situated facing the altar in the gallery, was a gift from the United States Air Force . Pulpits , pews and chairs in the body of the church have been presented by various people, including past Chiefs of the Air Staff, Sir Douglas Bader, the Guinea Pig Club . The lectern was a gift from the Royal Australian Air Force , the Cross from the Air Training Corps the altar, from the Dutch embassy. Also from the Netherlands is the font in the crypt, donated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force . The Paschal Candle was given by the Royal Belgian Air Force
St Clement Danes Central Church of the Royal Air Force.
Registered Charity United Kingdom No 226682 Spain No G54288329