St Martin le Grand, York

The Church of St Martin le Grand in the centre of York was badly damaged by German raids in the last world war, which had the specific intention of damaging Britain’s historical cities, rather than its war effort. That it still stands, albeit somewhat restored, is a fitting rebuke to the Führer’s plans. The church is famous for a large clock which protrudes into the street, though it also has some carved demons built into an external wall, too, doubtless remains from the medieval building which Hitler was unable to completely destroy.

The carving set me thinking about the devil and his minions’ attitude to church-going. If a church preaches not the gospel, they might be quite undisturbed by any who attend. To go to where the gospel is preached and Christ exalted is likely to be a different matter. How they long to disrupt and divide, to hinder and to hamper, to entangle and enmesh. Although I think church goers perfectly capable of doing all of these things without demonic assistance, I sometimes wonder if dark entities take a close interest in our churches and pulpits. They might not like what they hear, but they are highly intelligent, and wish to keep as much abreast of the Christian landscape as their fallen minds will allow.

And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Acts 19:15