(St.) Sepulchre

   On the north side of Holborn Viaduct, at its junction with Giltspur Street and Snow Hill (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Without.

   First mention: " St. Sepulchre in the bailey without Neuwegate," 27 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2581).

   An earlier record, 16 H. III., mentions " Fratres hospitalis Sancti Sepulchri Londoniensis " (Cal. P.R. H. III. 1225-32, p.499), but it does not appear whether the entry relates to this parish.

   Strype says the Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre was instituted 1103 (ed. 1720, I. iii. 241).

   Other forms: " St. Sepulchre without Newegate," 49 II. III, (Anc. Deeds, A. 2610 and 2630). "S. Edmund without Newgate," 1278-9 (Ct. H.W. I. 38). "Sci Sepulcri extra Chamb'leingate," 1285 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Lib. L. f. 93). "St. Sepulchre outside the bar of West Smethefeud," 31 Ed. I. (Ch. I. p.m. No.129). " St. Sepulchre in Smethefeld," 1300-1 (Ct. H.W. I. 151). " St. Sepulchre within Neugate," 1308 (ib. 199). " St. Sepulchre de Smithefeld," 1349 (ib. 597). " St. Sepulchre within the liberty of the City," 1338 (ib. 427). "St. Sepulchre within Newgate in ward of Faryndon Within," 1 H. IV. (Cal. P.R. H. IV. 1399-1401, p.240). " St. Edmond Sepulcher without Newgate, 1578 (Ct. H.W. II. 696). " St. Poulchers," 1594 (ib. 721).

   It is evident from these records that at one period St. Sepulchre's parish extended within Newgate, and in 1547 the tithes of the inhabitants of the buildings in the gate called Newgate and of that part of St. Sepulchre's parish lying within and in the said gate were granted to the mayor and citizens of London (L. and P. H. VIII. XXI. (2), p.416).

   In the time of H. VIII., 1547, this portion of the parish within the gate was taken to constitute, with the parishes of St. Audoen and St. Nicholas, the new parish of Christ Church, Newgate Street.

   Rebuilt temp. H. VI. or Ed. IV. (S. 387). Repaired 1624-7 and 1632-3 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 241).

   Nave destroyed in Fire, rebuilt 1670.

   Repaired 1728, 1837, 1863, 1875-8, 1880.

   The churchyard until the 18th century extended into the street, but has been curtailed in size and the outlying portions laid into the street, 1760 and 1871.

   A Vicarage. Patrons: the Canons of St. Bartholomew Smithfield, 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cost. I. 237). Now St. John's College, Oxford.