Church of St. Martin in Canterbury is the oldest church in England. It is located near the city center and at the Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine's Abbey is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

More in the VI century church of St. Martin served as the private chapel of Queen Bertha - Christian wife of the King of Kent Eterberta. According to the "father of English history" - Bede, the church was built in the days of the Romans, and in 580, it was rebuilt by King Eterbertom. Queen Bertha, who was born near the French city of Tours, the Church chose this just because it was dedicated to St. Martin from the same city.

In 595, the messenger arrived in Kent Pope Augustine, whose mission was the baptism of the king and his subjects. Augustine, later the first Archbishop of Canterbury, located in the church of St. Martin, and in the 597 it has increased in size. Here and King Ethelbert was baptized - the exact date of this event is unknown, but most likely, it happened in the year 601. Soon the city was erected Cathedral and St Augustine's Abbey, and since then the church of St. Martin lost its position.

Church of St. Martin built of stones used by the Romans. In the center of the church is located ancient Roman tomb of the same era. Other parts of the church walls, as well as the main part of the nave have been built in the VII century, during the mission of St. Augustine of Canterbury. Eastern apse of the cathedral is not preserved. Tower of the church of St. Martin was built much later and performed in the style of perpendicular Gothic.

In 1844, in the churchyard were found gold coins of VI century, including the medallion Lyudgarda - chaplain of Queen Bertha. Now this medallion in the British Museum in London.