The church stood in the middle of Fenchurch Street, between Rood Lane and Mincing Lane (Leake). In Langbourn Ward. The parish extended into Billingsgate Ward.
Earliest mention, 1526 (L. and P. H. VIII. D.S. XI. p. 580).
Newcourt says he finds it first mentioned under this name in the London Registry under the date 1517 (Rep. I. 350).
There are later allusions to it as follows : Parish of St. Mary and St. Gabriel in Fenchurch street, 37 Eliz. 1595 (Lond. I. p.m. III. 226). Parish of the Blessed Mary St. Gabriel in Fanchurch Street, 38 Eliz. 1596 (ib. 233). Referred to in John Bagworth's Will as "St. Mary Fenchurch" alias "Gabriel Fenchurch" in Fenchurch Street, 1622 (End. Ch. Rep. St. Gabriel Fenchurch, 1902, p. 1).
These entries support the statements made by Newcourt and later writers that the Church of St. Gabriel is identical with the church alluded to in earlier records as St. Mary Fenchurch and All Hallows Fenchurch, and Newcourt says that he has found all these three names given to this church in the London Registry (Rep. I. 350), so that it would seem to be a case of a triple dedication, to St. Mary, All Saints, and St. Gabriel, and may commemorate the rebuilding or enlargement of the church at different periods.
The earliest references are to be found under the designation of All Hallows Fenchurch (4.v.) mainly in the 13th century. This name does not seem to occur again until 1540 (L. and P.H. VIII. D.S. XVI. p. 54).
From the 13th century to the 16th century the church seems to be always referred to as "St. Mary Fenchurch" or "Fanchurch" (q.v.), and it is not until the 16th century, viz. in 1526, that reference is made to it under the designation of "St. Gabriel."
Church enlarged and beautified 1631-2. Burnt in the Great Fire 1666 and not rebuilt, whereby, as Strype says, the "street is the fairer" (ed. 1720, I. ii. 151).
Parish united to St. Margaret Pattens. In early records the church is often referred to simply as "Fenchurch" (q.v.).
A Rectory. Patrons : the Prior and Convent of Holy Trinity, after the dissolution, the Crown.
The dedications commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary, All Saints and the Angel St. Gabriel. The dedication to the angel Gabriel is an uncommon one and this is the only instance in the City of London of its use.
(1545?-1630) Poet, s. of a ropemaker, was b. at Saffron Walden, ed. at Camb., and became the friend...
Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
(1828-1882) Poet and painter, was b. in London. His f. was Gabriele Rossetti, an Italian scholar, w...
Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin