THE UNIT
St Clement Danes Church is the Central Church of the Royal Air Force. Re-consecrated in 1958 as a perpetual shrine of remembrance to those who have died in service in the RAF it is a living church prayed in and visited throughout the year by thousands of people seeking solace and reflection.
Located right in the middle of London, St Clement Danes has some characteristics that set it apart from normal parish churches. This includes a grade 1 listed status, a large number of visitors, professional musicians and many high profile services. It has one of the best church organs in London and a beautifully maintained set of working bells.
It is famous as the Oranges and Lemons church from the traditional nursery rhyme and the bells ring the tune throughout the day.
St Clement Danes is a memorial church to those who have lost their lives whilst serving in the RAF; and we commemorate over 150 000 people by name in our Books of Remembrance.
The RAF
As well as holding the Books of Remembrance the church also contains over a thousand slate squadron and unit badges in the floor. Many Colours and squadron standards are laid up in the building. The glass display cases feature many interesting RAF items that have been donated to the Central Church, as well as the ancient silver treasurers from the old parish.
The church organ, built by Harrison and Harrison, was gifted by the USAF, the lectern by the RAAF, the sanctuary flooring form the people of the Netherlands and the font (in the crypt) from the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
On the pew ends you can find the cartouches of Chiefs of the Air Staff – and if you are lucky, a member of staff may demonstrate the telescopic nature of the pews – which extend by an extra 50%.
There are boards containing names of those who have won Victoria and George Crosses –as well as memorial boards commemorate RAF Chaplains, RAF Mountain Rescue volunteers, and air crew involved in search and rescue duties who have died on operations.
The church is supported by RAF Northolt (our parent unit) who provide our direct link to the wider air force family and community.
Virtual Tour Inside The Church
Below is a 360° interactive image from inside the church. Please be aware, depending on your internet connection, that it could take some time to load. This is better viewed on a desktop computer and mobile users could encounter errors.
Location
Central Church of the Royal Air Force, Strand, London WC2R 1DH
The Resident Chaplain - Reverend Mark Perry RAF
Contact Us
Phone: 020 7242 2380
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://stclementdanesraf.org/
Church Services
Every Sunday at 11.00 Either Choral Eucharist or Choral Matins (all music provided by our professional musicians)
Baptisms, weddings, memorial services etc by arrangement with the Resident Chaplain
Church Opening Times
The doors are open to the public from 10:00 to 16:00 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 15:00 on Sunday.
The church is normally closed on Bank Holiday Mondays and for the week commencing 26th December to the first working day of the New Year.
Travelling to the Church
Taxi
We don’t recommend travelling in by car as there is no parking at the church and limited parking in the vicinity.
If you travel by taxi or Uber make sure the driver knows that it is the RAF Church in the Strand.
Our postcode: WC2R 1DH Phone: 0207 242 2380
You are heading to St Clement Danes Church which is near Australia House and the Royal Courts of Justice. It is one of the two island churches in the Strand, the furthest from Trafalgar Square, just where the Strand ends and Fleet Street begins.
Trains and Buses
Nearest Stations (check status of stations and lines on the TFL website)
Tube:
Temple (Circle and District) - walk up Arundel Street
Holborn (Piccadilly and Central) - walk down Kingsway and bear left at the bottom
Rail:
Charing Cross - walk along Strand, away from Trafalgar Square
Blackfriars - walk along Fleet Street, away from St Paul’s
Waterloo - walk over Waterloo Bridge, turn right on to Strand
Bus:
Many buses stop nearby: Royal Courts of Justice stop: 11, 23, 26, 76, 172
Safeguarding Notices
Information about Chaplaincy Services (RAF) Safeguarding can be found here.
