(St.) Mary Aldermary

   On the east side of Bow Lane at No. 38a. (P.O. Directory). In Cordwainer Ward.

   Earliest mention found in records : "Aldermarie church" given by Living the priest, temp. Wm. I. to Christchurch, Canterbury (Dugdale Mon. Ang. I. 109, and Litterae Cantuarienses, II. 175).

   Other forms : "St. Mary de Eldemariechurche," 1272-3 (Ct. H.W. I. 13). "Alyermarie," 1275 (ib. 20). "Aldermariecherche," 1290 (ib. 91). "Sanctae Mariae de Eldemariechirche," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 229). "Aldremaricherch," 1310 (Ct. H.W. I. 212). "S. Mary de Aldermaricherche," 1315-16 (ib. 258). "St. Mary Aldirmaricherche" (Ch. I. p.m. 41 Ed. III. 44). "St. Mary Aldermarychirch," 35 H. VI. (Anc. Deeds, C. 2394). "Aldemarie Church" (S. 255). "St. Mary Aldermary" (O. and M. 1677).

   New built about 1511, Henry Keeble, the Mayor being a great benefactor to the work (ib.).

   Repaired and beautified 1632, steeple rebuilt 1626 according to its old pattern for £1000 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 18).

   Burnt in the Fire and rebuilt 1681, largely by the munificence of Henry Rogers, on the model of Sir Henry Kebyll's church, the parish of St. Thomas Apostles being united to it (ib. 24). Restored 1876-7.

   A Rectory. One of the 13 peculiars of the City, under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was patron.

   So called, Stow says, because it was very old and elder than any Church of saint Marie in the Citie (S. 255).

   Qy. = Mary (St.) Aldermannechurche (q.v.).