(St.) Lawrence Pountney

On the west side of Laurence Pountney Lane, in Candlewick Ward. The parish extends into Bridge Within and Walbrook Wards.

Earliest mention found in records : "St. Laurence next the Thames," 1275 (Ct. H.W. I. 19).

In a confirmation of grants to Westminster Abbey by William I.1067, mention is made of the church of "St. Laurence cum cimiterio" (Cott. Ch. VI. 3, B.M.). This is probably St. Laurence Pountney.

Other names and forms of name : "S. Laurence in Candlewigstrate," 1277-8 (Ct. H.W. I. 33). "Sci Laurenc' de Lundenestane," 1285 (MSS. D. and C. St. Paul's, Lib. L. fi. 115 et seq.). "S. Laurence de Candelwystrete," 1293 (Ct. H.W. I. 110). "Sancti Laurentii in Candelwikstrete," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 229). "S. Laurence Pounteneye," 1349 (Ct. H.W. 1.566). " St. Laurence Pulteneye," 1361 (ib. 11.25). " S Laurence en le Est," 1361 (ib. 19). "S. Laurence super Tamisiam" (Anc. Deeds, A. 7360).

North part of the church repaired 1305-6 (Ct. H.W. I. 176).

The chapel of Corpus Christi and College of St Lawrence Pountney adjoining the church were erected by John de Poulteney about 1334 (Cal. P.R. Ed. III. 1334-8, p. 60).

The church derives its appellation of Pountney, or Pulteneye, from this benefactor.

Steeple new leaded, new bells hung and church repaired and beautified 1634 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii, 189, and Wilson, p, 91).

Destroyed in the Great Fire 1666 and not rebuilt, the parish being united to St Mary Abchurch (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 190).

It was alleged that the fire burst forth out of the steeple as though independently of the original outbreak.

A Rectory. Patrons : Abbot and Convent of Westminster, 31 Ed I, (Lib. Cust. I. ii. 234).

After the erection of the College the advowson of the church seems to have passed into the hands of the Master and chaplains of the College, 8 Ed III. 1334 (Cal. P.R. Ed. III. 1334-8, p. 60). After the dissolution of the College and its sale to John Cheke (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 189), temp. Ed. VI., the living was in the hands of the Crown and was leased and ultimately granted to the parishioners (Wilson, 74). After the union of the parish with St. Mary Abchurch, the patron of that living (the College of Corpus Christi, Cambridge) endeavoured to oust the parishioners and to secure the sole right of presentation to the united parishes. But they did not effect this without a struggle, and it was not until 1713-16 that the parishioners agreed to a compromise and surrendered their right of presentation in exchange for a sum of money (Wilson, 95 and 96).

The site of the church is occupied by the vacant enclosure known as the "Church Ground" on the east side of Lawrence Pountney Hill (Wilson, p. 174).