(St.) Katherine Cree

   On the north side of Leadenhall Street at No. 84 (P.O. Directory.)

   First mentioned in records : "St. Katherine de Christchurch at Alegate," 1280 (Ct. H.W. I. 50).

   Strype says it was built temp. Richard de Graveshende, Bishop of London (Strype, 1720, 1. ii. 62). He was bishop 1280-1303.

   It was erected within the churchyard of the Priory of Holy Trinity, and in early records is frequently referred to as the "church or chapel of St. Katherine" within the church-yard of the church of Holy Trinity (Ct. H. Wills, I. 282, 594 ; II. 184, 250, 371.)

   From a decree of the Bishop of London, 1414, set out in full in Strype (ed. 1720, 1. ii. 56) it appears that the parishioners of St. Katherine's used to attend the Priory Church of Holy Trinity, but that there was so much confusion owing to the canons holding their services there at the same times, that they built themselves a church or chapel dedicated to St. Katherine in the churchyard of Holy Trinity, and only attended the Priory Church en certain special occasions.

   Various names : "B. Kath. prope Christchurch," 1295 (HarI. Ch. 112, I. 2, in B.M.). "Sanctae Katerinae Trinitatis," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 229). "St. Katherine by Alegate," 23 Ed. I. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1607). "St. Katherine Trinity near Algate," 1349 (Ct. H.W. I. 596). "St. Katherine 'in atrio' Holy Trinity Church," 1350 (ib. 636). "St. Katherine's Chapel, founded within the churchyard of Holy Trinity," 1349 (ib. 594). "St. Katherine near Alegate," 1301 (ib. 153). "St. Katherine within Alegate," 1307 (ib. 191). "St. Katherine de Alegate," 1349 (ib. 583). " St. Katherine de Crichirche, 1408 (ib. II. 390). "St. Katherine Christ Church or Chreechurch," 1633 (ib. 755).

   In Stow's time a descent of 7 steps had to be made to enter the church (S. 144).

   Steeple or bell tower erected 1504 (ib.). New church begun 1628, completed 1630, 15 ft. above the old, as shown by a pillar of the old church still standing at the west end adjoining the steeple (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 65). Magdalen College to repair the chancel, 1623-4 (MSS. H. of Lords in H. MSS. Com. 5th Rep. 29).

   There was a Cloister on the back side of the north wall of the old church (Strype, 1720, I. ii. 64-5).

   Church consecrated by Laud, 1631 (Povah, p. 179).

   Repaired and re-decorated 1879.

   A Rectory. Patrons : Magdalen Coll., Cambridge.

   See Creed Churchyard.

   The addition of Christchurch to the dedication name is of course derived from the Priory of Holy Trinity or Christ Church, in the churchyard of which it stood.

   Is the pronunciation "Cree" a relic of the pre-reformation Latin pronunciation?