“St Stephen’s in the Jewry,” they called it. This was a church with a story etched in every stone. Imagine standing here centuries ago. The air thick with the smells of London.
St Stephen, Coleman Street, was more than just a church. It was a landmark first noted in the 12th century. Its history is a tapestry woven from piety and destruction.
In medieval times, St Stephen’s was both a parish church and a chapel. It offered ease to the church of St Olave Old Jewry. The parochial status was defined permanently in 1456. Think about the legal wrangling. Imagine the importance of clearly defined religious roles.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 ravaged the medieval church. A new structure emerged from the ashes. Sir Christopher Wren designed this new St Stephen’s. This shows resilience. Imagine Wren surveying the damage. Consider his vision for a city reborn.
But fate had more trials in store. German bombs destroyed Wren’s St Stephen’s in 1940 during the Blitz. The church wasn’t rebuilt after the war. Its parish was combined with St Margaret Lothbury. This symbolizes loss. Think of the echoes of sermons. Imagine the vanished community.
Records for St Stephen’s and its parish have survived. These include churchwardens’ accounts from 1486 and parish registers from 1538. Tithe rate and poor rate assessments from 1592 are among the things that survived. Vestry minutes from 1622 remain. Also the “Vellum Book” from 1466 gives record of church property. These documents offer a glimpse into the lives of Londoners long past. Imagine poring over those ancient pages. Think about the stories they could tell.
St Stephen’s was dedicated to St Stephen. He was the first Christian martyr. Tradition says he died by stoning in Jerusalem around 35 AD. Coleman Street got its name from charcoal burners who lived there. This details the city’s evolution. Imagine charcoal smoke mixing with incense. Consider the contrast of industry and worship.
John Stow incorrectly claimed that St Stephen’s had once been a synagogue. This incorrect assertion reflects the area’s Jewish population.
The earliest reference to St Stephen’s is during King John’s reign. Butley Priory in Suffolk acquired the advowson between 1292 and 1303. Butley’s rights were acknowledged in 1449 after a dispute. All this resulted in Butley’s favor in 1452.
John Sokelyng, a brewer, left a bequest to St Stephen’s in 1431. Mass had to be sung on the anniversary of his death and his wives’ deaths. The gift was marked by a cock in a hoop motif. It decorated the church until 1940. The motif can still be seen in parish boundary markers. This is a quirky detail. Imagine the cock in a hoop. Think about how a brewer’s legacy lived on.
In the 17th century, St Stephen’s became a Puritan stronghold. Sir Maurice Abbot was a prominent vestryman. The church was renovated in 1622 and a gallery was added in 1629. John Davenport, vicar in 1624, resigned to become a Nonconformist pastor. Playwright Anthony Munday was buried in St Stephen’s in 1633. This reflects religious and cultural shifts. Imagine Puritan sermons. Think of the playwright’s final resting place.
After its destruction in the Great Fire, St Stephen’s was rebuilt on its old foundations. The exterior work finished in 1677. Additional money was provided in 1691 from the coal tax. This helped build a gallery and a burial vault. The restoration cost was £4,517. This reveals the scale of rebuilding. Imagine the sounds of construction. Consider the community’s commitment.
The medieval tower survived the Fire substantially. The old masonry was visible on the north side. This shows the past’s persistence. Imagine Wren incorporating the old into the new. Think about the layers of history.
William Newman created the altar-table, rails, and altar-piece in 1676-77. Until the 19th century, the organ was housed in the only gallery. More galleries were added in the 1800s. This highlights changing tastes. Imagine the music filling the space. Think about the evolving architecture.
William Dampier might have been buried in the church or churchyard. He reportedly died in the parish in 1715. Josiah Pratt, vicar of St Stephen’s, was Secretary of the Church Missionary Society. His son, John Henry Pratt, was a noted clergyman-geologist.
Today, nothing remains of St Stephen, Coleman Street. Yet, its story echoes through the City of London.