Haven For London’s Homeless

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 18, 22 January 1937, Page 8

Haven For London’s Homeless

LONDON. —A famous shelter for “down and outs 77 in London—St. Mar-tin-in-the-Fields 7 Crypt —is to be remodelled at a cost of £30,000. The plan means more room and comforts for those who have no food and no roof to sleep under. In tho past year 24,683 men and 1623 women found a shelter in the crypt at night. The relief committee of the church interviewed 3058 homeless aud destitute men and women and on these more than £2OO was expended, and to men alone some 4000 articles of clothing were distributed. A hostel is also maintained and of the 112 persons who passed through in the year, 76 found employment. Every effort is made to ensure that the crypt is not used Dy the professional beggar or tramp. The Rev. “Pat 77 McCormick, one oi England's best-known broadcasting clergymen aud successor to Canon “Dick" Shepherd of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, has started out to collect 1,000, 000 s. for the plan. There has been a church on the site for many centuries, one being mentioned in Domesday Book which was completed in the year 10S6. Another was built in 1455 in the reign of Henry VLL., and the one now standiug was built in 1721, The crypt was extended when the churchyard was taken for a roadway and building land, and was used for many years as a burial place.