St Martin's Church, Ruislip

St Martin's Church is a church in the town of Ruislip, within the London Borough of Hillingdon. It has been designated since January 1950 by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building.[2] The present chancel and nave date back to the 13th century.[3] The church stands at the northern end of Ruislip High Street, near the Manor Farm site.

St Martin's Church
Parish Church of St Martin
View of the southern side of St Martin's Church
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipModern Catholic
Websitestmartins-ruislip.org
History
DedicationSaint Martin
Consecrated1245
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade I - Listing 1285697[1]
StyleNorman
Years built1245
Administration
ParishParish of Ruislip
DeaneryDeanery of Hillingdon
ArchdeaconryArchdeaconry of Northolt
Episcopal areaSee of Willesden
DioceseDiocese of London
Clergy
Vicar(s)Fr Simon Evans
Assistant priest(s)Fr Michael Bedford
Fr John Spinks
Curate(s)Fr James White
Fr Yaroslav Walker
Laity
Director of musicJames Kellas
TreasurerChris Hoppett
Churchwarden(s)Judith Roberts
Mark Stimpson
Parish administratorGill Dargue

History
Entrance gate to St Martin's Church

A church for Ruislip appears in the 1086 Domesday Book but is believed to have been replaced by the present church in 1245, when an increase in the parish population called for a larger building. Stones with markings from the Norman period have been found in the grounds, believed to be from the original building.[3]

While Ruislip was under the ownership of the Bec Abbey, the monks bestowed the name St. Martin upon the church, dedicating it to Saint Martin of Tours from Normandy.[3]

The Proctor-General of the Bec Abbey, William de Guineville, is believed to have insisted upon the rebuilding of the church. He had held the position since 1242 and lived in the priory at Manor Farm.[4] The first recorded vicar of the church was William de Berminton in 1327.[5]

Between 1404 and 1414, the Bec Abbey lost its lands following heavy taxation during the Hundred Years War. By 1422, the condition of the building had deteriorated, at which point it was given to the Dean and Canons of Windsor. They had the chancel built later in the 15th century, while the parishioners themselves rebuilt the south aisle in 1440. The church tower was also built in the 15th century with a set of bells. Thomas Bettz left £26 13 4d in his will in 1463 to pay for the repair of the bells. An extension to the south aisle was added in 1500.[4]

In 1870, the church building was substantially restored by the architect George Gilbert Scott.[6]

In 1958, the rood beam was added as a memorial to the local Gower family.[4]

The Ruislip war memorial dedicated to those killed in the First World War was moved from its original position in the church graveyard in 1976, to be near the entrance to Manor Farm.[6]

Notable memorials
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References
Citations
  1. Historic England. "Church of St Martin of Tours (1285697)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  2. "Listed buildings" (PDF). London Borough of Hillingdon. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  3. Bowlt 2007, p.10
  4. Bowlt 2007, p.11
  5. Bowlt 1994, p.17
  6. Newbery et al 1996
  7. Green 1987, p. 55
Bibliography
  • Bowlt, Eileen. M. (2007) Around Ruislip, Eastcote, Northwood, Ickenham & Harefield. Stroud: Sutton Publishing ISBN 978-0-7509-4796-1
  • Green, Oliver (editor). (1987 edition) Metro-Land. Oldcastle Books ISBN 0-948353-09-0
  • Newbery, Maria; Cotton, Carolynne; Packham, Julie Ann; Jones, Gwyn. (1996) Around Ruislip. Stroud: The Chalfont Publishing Company ISBN 0-7524-0688-4

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