(St.) Mary Woolnoth

   On the south side of Lombard Street at its junction with King William Street (P.O. Directory). In Langbourn Ward. The parish extends into Walbrook, Candlewick and Cornhill Wards.

   Earliest mention: "Parish of WInodmariecherch," c. 1198-9 (Anc. Deeds, A. 1614).

   Other names and forms : "St. Mary Wulnothe Mariecherche," c 1200-1224 (ib. A. 2461). "St. Mary Wolnoth," 1273-4 (Ct. H.W. I. 18). "St. Mary de Welnoth," 1275 (ib. 24). "St. Mary de Wlnoth," 1285 (ib. 73). "Parish de WInorh Marichirche," 1285 (MS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Liber L. 93). "S. Mary de Wolnod," 1291 (Ct. H.W. I. 99). "S. Mary de Wulnoth," 22 Ed. I. (Ch. I. p.m. (136)). "S. Mary Wolnore," 1445-6 (Ct. H.W. II. p. 506). "Blessed Mary Wolmer," 30 H. VIII. (L. and M. Ft. of Fines, II. 49). "S. Mary Wenlok," 5 Ed. I. 1277 (Cal. P.R. Ed. I. 1272-81, p. 244). (In the Index to the Calendar this is identified with St. Mary Woolnoth.)

   Church rebuilt 1438 (Newcourt, I. 461).

   St. George's Chapel in the Church built by George Lufken (S. 206). Church lately new built by Sir Hugh Brice, Mayor, 1 H. VII., a chapel called the charnel, part of the body of the church and of the steeple (S. 205-6).

   Damaged in the Great Fire and restored 1677 ; when the church was rebuilt in 1716 beneath the foundations 15 to 20 ft. deep were found ancient Roman earthen vessels, medals, bones and tusks (Strype, ed. 1755, I. 163 and 484).

   Church designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor. Restored again 1876 and the interior remodelled.

   A Rectory. Patrons : Nuns of St. Helens until the dissolution of the monasteries, after which time in 31 H. VIII. that King granted the advowson to Sir Martin Bowes, Goldsmith (Newcourt, I. 462).

   In same family (P.C. 1732). Since in various private hands (Newcourt, I. 462, and Hennessey, 316). Wheatley says it now belongs to the Goldsmiths' Company, but gives no authority for the statement.

   St. Mary Woolchurch parish united to it after the Fire.

   Stow says it was called St. Marie Woolnoth of the Nativity, why, he does not know (S. 205-6), but Strype suggests that it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus in her arms (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 160).

   "Woolnoth," in early records frequently written "Wlnoth," is probably the name "Wulfnoth," which was a Saxon name in very general use, and which frequently appears in the form "Wl" for "Wulf." It may well have been the name of the original founder of the church. Kingsford suggests Wulfnoth de Walebroc mentioned 1114-33 in Chron. Ramsey, p. 248. Cart. of Ramsey, I. 139 (ed. Stow, II. p. 309, note).

   Round thinks it may have been the mother church of St. Mary Woolchurch, Woolchurchhawe, or Newchurch (q.v.).