“In my country, God’s house is always open!” This was said, accompanied by tears, by a woman wanting to come into church to pray, just as the verger was trying to lock the gates of St Martin’s portico. Not many churches stay open ’24/7′ in this country. I’m glad to say our verger was sympathetic to the woman’s request.
St Martin’s gained the name of ‘Church of the ever open door’ in Dick Sheppard’s day, the church and crypt open all day and night for servicemen during World War I. In our age of terrorism, buildings have to be safeguarded and security is a very real issue. St Martin’s stays open thanks to vergers, lay chaplains and security staff. I’ve realised that need for security ever since watching a friend’s church burning down, due to an arsonist.
When I was in Haywards Heath, our church was left unlocked and unstaffed during the day, which worried me. Fortunately, the only unexpected guests were ducks and frogs from the village pond!
The work of church-sitters is invaluable and needs encouraging. I’m always sad when I see city churches in London so often shut (in spite of good work by the Friends of City Churches). It looks as if the church is ‘out of business’ and not wanting to engage with others. When, like St Martin’s, a church is open during the day, it’s good to see people coming in to enjoy its peace, its beauty, its prayerfulness, or coming in to find help of some kind from others, or being a place of safety and shelter for homeless visitors. Historic buildings are often a financial burden, but they are also a wonderful asset to communities across this country.
Revd Colin Midlane
22-23 September is London Open House Weekend
