(St.) Dunstan in the West

   On the north side of Fleet Street at No. 187 (P.O. Directory), between Fetter Lane and Chancery Lane. In the Ward of Farringdon Without.

   Earliest mention found in records : 1237, "St. Dunstan over against the New Temple" (Cal. P.R. H. III. 1232-47, p. 178). Church probably in existence at a much earlier date.

   Other forms : "St. Dunstan towards the New Temple," 1278-9 (Ct. H.W. I. 37). "St. Dunstan West," 1278-9 (ib. 39). "St. Dunstan near the New Temple," 1291 (ib. 101). "St. Dunstan de Weste," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 229). "St. Dunstan next the New Temple," 10 Ed. II. (Ch. I. p. m. 10 Ed. II. 3). "St. Donstan de Fletestret," 1331 (Ct. H.W. I. 369). "St. Dunstan West in Fleetstreet," 16 Ed. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1784).

   Fraternity of St. Mary and St. Dunstan in the church 18 H. VI. (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 262).

   Chapel of St. Katherine erected by T. Duke, 15th century. Church repaired at various times.

   Damaged in the Fire, but soon repaired at the charges of the parish. At this time the whole building projected into the street and had shops and sheds under it. It was accordingly resolved in 1820-30 to pull it down and rebuild it further back, and a portion of Clifford's Inn was taken for the purpose. A piece of ground about 30 ft. wide was laid into the street (Gent. Mag. Lib. XVI. 29-33) (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 276). Architect, J. Shaw.

   A Rectory. Patrons : Advowson granted to the King by the Abbot and Convent of Westminster, and by him to the House of Converts 1237 (Cal. P.R. H. III. 1232-47. p. 178). Afterwards passed into the hands of the Abbot and Convent of Alnwick, and after the dissolution into private hands, being at that time a vicarage. In 1820 purchased by the Parishioners by a special Act, and constituted a rectory (End. Ch. Rep. 1902, p. 5).

   Called "in the West" for difference from St. Dunstone in the east (S. 395).

   Famous clock there projecting over the street was removed when the old church was pulled down. Statue of Q. Elizabeth 1586 over the Fleet Street doorway stood originally on the west front of Ludgate and was removed here in 1766.