RAF Church of St. Clement Danes

RAF Church of St. Clement Danes is an English Baroque church located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. Rebuilt by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London and later restored following severe damage during the Blitz, it was formally designated the central church of the Royal Air Force in 1958. The church now serves as a living place of worship and a profound national memorial to the fallen of the RAF.

History

The site's history is ancient, with legends suggesting a church was founded there by Danish settlers in the 9th century, hence the "Danes" suffix. A medieval church dedicated to Saint Clement, the patron saint of mariners, stood on the site until it was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The task of rebuilding was entrusted to the preeminent architect of the age, Christopher Wren, with construction completed around 1682. The church's famous spire, designed by James Gibbs, was added in 1719. On the night of 10 May 1941, during the Blitz, the building was gutted by incendiary bombs dropped by the Luftwaffe, leaving only the outer walls and the Gibbs spire standing.

Architecture and fittings

The exterior is a fine example of Wren's English Baroque style, constructed from Portland stone. The interior, meticulously restored after World War II by architect Sam Lloyd, is a harmonious blend of post-war design and classical references. Notable fittings include the magnificent organ built by Harrison & Harrison, which incorporates pipes salvaged from the pre-war instrument. The floor is paved with over 1,500 slate slabs inscribed with the badges of RAF squadrons, RAF stations, and Commonwealth and allied air forces. Stained glass windows commemorate various campaigns and units, including the Battle of Britain and the Dam Busters.

Role as the Central Church of the Royal Air Force

In 1958, the restored church was consecrated and officially dedicated as the central church of the Royal Air Force. It is a Royal Peculiar under the jurisdiction of the monarch and is administered by the RAF Chaplains Branch. Regular services are held, including the annual Battle of Britain anniversary service each September. The church also hosts weddings, baptisms, and memorial services for the RAF community, functioning as both an active parish and a spiritual home for air force personnel past and present, supported by the St Clement Danes Church Council.

Memorials and commemorations

The church is a focal point for remembrance within the RAF. The most prominent feature is the **Memorial to the Royal Air Force**, comprising the inscribed floor badges and the Book of Remembrance, which lists over 150,000 men and women of the RAF and predecessor services who have died in service since 1918. Statues of RAF leaders, including Lord Trenchard and Sir Arthur Harris, stand in the churchyard. A memorial to Polish Air Force personnel who served alongside the RAF is also present. Each year, wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall by representatives who first gather at the church.

In literature and popular culture

The church is immortalized in the English nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons," which references the bells of "St. Clement's." It features in literary works by Charles Dickens, who mentioned it in his writings about London. The distinctive spire has made it a recognizable landmark in numerous film and television productions depicting London. Its unique status as an RAF church ensures it appears in documentaries and literature concerning the Blitz, the Battle of Britain, and the history of the Royal Air Force, cementing its place in the nation's cultural and historical consciousness.

Category:Church of England church buildings Category:Royal Air Force Category:Christopher Wren churches Category:Grade I listed churches in London Category:Churches in the City of Westminster Category:Military chapels in the United Kingdom