Basildon's western town centre developed into an important civic and cultural area. St Martin's Church, the Towngate Theatre, Basildon Centre and later the remarkable glass belltower created a second major group of landmarks away from the original Town Square.
St Martin's Square – opened 10 November 1962
St Martin of Tours was built as the principal Anglican church for the developing town centre. It was officially opened and consecrated on 10 November 1962 by the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Gerhard Tiarks. Its architect was Trena M.
The church originally stood between roads in the old Pagel Mead layout. Later redevelopment transformed its surroundings into the pedestrian civic space now known as St Martin's Square. Stained glass designed by Joseph Nuttgens was installed in 1989.
St Martin's Square – officially opened 12 March 1999
The 95-foot steel and glass belltower is one of modern Basildon's most distinctive structures. It was conceived by Canon Lionel Webber and designed by Douglas Galloway, former general manager of Basildon Development Corporation.
The tower contains six medieval bells together with two newly commissioned bells. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip officially opened it on 12 March 1999 during celebrations marking fifty years since Basildon's designation as a New Town. Its transparent modern structure was deliberately designed to display the historic bells rather than hide them inside a conventional stone tower.
St Martin's Square – opened 1988
The present Towngate Theatre replaced Basildon's earlier temporary Arts Centre and Towngate Theatre, which had operated from the Fodderwick/Towngate area since 1968. The new theatre had its gala opening on 23 April 1988.
Built at a cost of around £8 million, its main auditorium was based on the form of a Georgian playhouse and provided seating for around 550 people. A smaller studio provided additional performance space. Actress Kate O'Mara appeared in the opening production of Shakespeare's As You Like It and unveiled a commemorative plaque.
Towngate – opened 21 September 1968
Before the permanent theatre existed, Basildon Council operated a temporary Arts Centre in Towngate. It cost around £100,000 and seated approximately 500 people. In 1976 it was renamed the Towngate Theatre and Arts Centre.
Despite its temporary construction it became an important cultural landmark. Performers associated with the venue included Peter Sarstedt, Labi Siffre, Curved Air and David Bowie, while theatre, films, children's shows and local dramatic societies also used the building. It remained in service until the permanent Towngate opened in 1988.
St Martin's Square – opened 1989
The Basildon Centre provided permanent civic accommodation beside the new Towngate Theatre and became home to council services and the central library. Its completion helped bring to an end the long period in which the council had relied on temporary buildings around Fodderwick and Towngate.
Together with the theatre, church, square and later belltower, it helped establish St Martin's Square as Basildon's principal civic centre.