(St.) Stephen Walbrook

   On the east side of Walbrook at No.39 (P.O. Directory). South of the Mansion House, in Walbrook Ward, the parish extending into Cheap Ward.

   Earliest mention: " S. Stephen super Walbrock" (c. 1096, Dugdale, IV. 601, Charter of joundation of St. John Colchester).

   Other names and forms: "St. Stephen's Walebrok," 1246 (Cal. Charter Rolls, H. III. V. I. p.307). "St. Stephen on Walebrock," 1277 (Cal. L. Bk. B. p.266). " St. Stephen de Walebrock," 1282 (Ct. H.W. I. 60). "Wallbrook Church" (O. and M. 1677).

   The church was built on the bank of the stream called the Walbrook, hence the distinguishing appellation.

   In 1428 licence was granted to Robert Chichele to give a plot of land 208 1/2 ft. long and 66 ft. broad in the parish of St. Stephen Walbroke for the building of a new church to St. Stephen, for a cemetery and houses for the parson. The church was too small and there was no space to enlarge it or to make a churchyard (Cal. P.R. H.V. 1422 I. 9, p.492).

   Stow tells us that this new church was built on the east side of the Walbrook, whereas the old church was on the west side of the course of the stream, where the Parsonage house then stood (S. 228), as appears from an Inquisition taken in 1300 to inquire who were liable to repair the covering over the course of the water of Walebroc "de super Murum canceff ecclesiæ Sci Stephani de Walebroc." The parishioners were held liable (Cal. L. Bk. C. p.71). The church was commenced 1429 and finished 1439 (ib. 229, and L. and M. Arch. Soc. Trans. V. p.331). Its dimensions are set out in these transactions, pp.332-3.

   Repaired and beautified 1622-3 and the steeple and tower in 1632 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 196).

   Had a Lady Chapel, Chapel of St. Nicholas and Katherine. Cross in the Churchyard (ib.) (L. and M. Arch. Soc. Trans. V.334).

   Destroyed in the Fire of London and rebuilt 1672-9 by Sir C. Wren, the parish of St. Benet Sherehog being united to it (ib. I. ii. 199).

   The Parsonage house was also burnt down and rebuilt 1674, a map or survey being kept of the dimensions of the ground. Another house was built for the Parson adjoining the Church, on which part of the Church stood before the Fire. Restored 1847-8 and 1888 (ib. 199).

   A Rectory. Patrons: the monks of St. John, Colchester. It was provided in the grant to John Chicheley that they were to be patrons of the new church as of the old one (Cal. Ch. Rolls, H. VI. 1422-9, p.492). Patronage purchased by Robert Whittiagham from John duke of Bedford and given by Ed. IV., to whom it had come by forfeiture of Rob. Whittingham, to Richard Lee, Mayor, who gave it to the Grocers' Company (S. 229), in whose patronage it remains.

   There is a description of the church in Trans. St. Paul's Eccl. Soc. I. 209.