(St.) Martin Outwich

   On the west side of Bishopsgate, at the south-east corner of Threadneedle Street, in Broad Street Ward (O.S. 1880).

   The parish extends into Bishopsgate Ward Within and Cornhill Ward.

   Earliest mention: c. 1216-17 in Cott. MS. Faust, B. ii, f. 8o in Cartulary Clerkenwell Priory.

   There are several grants of land in the parish at about this date, one by Matilda, late wife of Martin de Ottewich, of land, etc., in the parish of and opposite to the church of "St. Martin Ottewich," c.1230 (Anc. Deeds, A. 2683 and 2681, also ib. A. 2680, 2658, 2665, and 2668).

   Called also : "St. Martin Oteswich," 37 H. III. (ib. A. 2258). "St. Martin Ottheswych," H. III. (ib. A. 2259). "Sant Martens at the welles with ij bokettes," 1559 (Machyn's Diary, p. 211).

   Repaired about 1681.

   It escaped the Great Fire, but suffered considerable damage in the fire in Cornhill Ward in 1765, and was taken down 1796 (Wilkinson, 1) and rebuilt. Archt., S. P. Cockerell.

   Consecrated 1798. The church was demolished in 1874, and the parish united to St. Helen, Bishopsgate. The site is now occupied by the Capital and Counties Bank and the National Bank of India.

   Living : a Rectory.

   Patrons : Thomas de Leukenore held the advowson temp. Ed. I. After the death of his son John it passed to Rob. de Harewedone, then to Hugh le Despenser (33 Ed. I. Anc. Deeds, A. 2649), and then to the Earl Warrenne, 1 Ed. III. (I. p.m. 2nd Nos. 56).

   The advowson was granted 6 H. IV. by John Churchman to the Merchant Taylors (S. 181), in whose hands it remained.

   There is a plan of the parish in 1599 in Wilkinson's History of the Parish, Plate I.

   Derivation of name : Stow says it was called "Oteswich" of Martin de Oteswich, Nicholas de Oteswich, William Oteswich and John Oteswich, founders thereof (S. 181).

   The name was "Ottewich," as above.