At the south-west corner of College Hill, in Vintry Ward (O. and M 1677).
First mention found in records : "Baermannecyrce," Charter of 1067 (Cott. Ch. VI. 3 B.M.). Probably a forgery, temp. H. I.
The church of St. Martin "que est super Thamisiam" was granted to the Monastery of St. Peter Gloucester, c.1100-7 (Cart. Mon. S. Petri Glouc. I. 392).
Other names and forms : "Sancti Martini 'ubi vina venditur,' "1200 (ib. III. p. 2). "St. Martin de barmannecherche," otherwise "sancti martini in vinetria," c. 1210-11 (Hari. Ch. 50, A. 29, 30, 31). "St. Martin of Baremannescherche apud coquinas vinetrie," 5 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 1647). "Beremannechirche," 1242 (Cal. Charter Rolls, H. III. Vol. I. p. 269). "Baremannechurche," 1242 (Cal. Close R. H. III. 1237-42, p. 514). "St. Martin de Beremanescherche in the Vintry," 1257 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 16). "St. Martin in the Vintry," 1259 (Ct. H.W. I. 3). "St. Martin de Barmannescherche," 1277 (Ct. H.W. I. 28). "St. Martin by the Thames," 9 Ed. I. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2487). "St. Martin in the Vintry," 1288 (Cal. L. Bk. A. p. 110). "St. Martin Bermancherche," 27 Ed. I. 1298-9 (Cal. L. Bk. C. p. 35). "Sancti Martini in Vinetria," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 229).
Parishes of St. James de Garlekhuthe, St. Martin de Garlekhuthe, and St. Martin of the Vintry, mentioned 4 Ed. III. (1330-1) (Cal. L. Bk. E. p. 246).
This appears to be the only record relating to "St. Martin de Garlekhuthe" and may be another name for St. Martin Vintry, unless there was a second parish of St. Martin in this neighbourhood, afterwards united to St. Martin Vintry.
There was a chapel "Sancti Thomae Martiris" in the church of St. Martin Vintry (Cartulary Mon. St. Peter's Glouc. I. 390).
New builded about 1399 by the executors of Matthew Columbars, a Bordeaux merchant, his arms being in the east window (S. 249-50). This is an error for 1299, Will proved 1282. It directed his houses to be sold for certain purposes not specified (Cal. Ct. H.W. I. 59).
He was King's Chamberlain and taker of wines throughout England, 1279 (Cal. L. Bk. B. 280).
Sir Ralph Austrie new roofed the church in the 15th century (S. 249-50).
Rebuilt, repaired and beautified 2 Jas. I. and again in 1632 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 9).
Burnt in the Fire and not rebuilt, the parish being united to St. Michael Paternoster Royal (ib. 6).
A Rectory. Patrons : Abbot and Convent of St. Peter, Gloucester, until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. Edward VI. gave the advowson to the Bishop of Worcester.
The name "Baremannechurch" is derived from the O.E. "baerman" = carrier, porter, persons in this neighbourhood being largely employed in the wine trade. This seems to have been the earliest distinguishing appellation of the church, and it may have been erected in the first instance especially for the use of those employed in the great wine trade of the neighbourhood.
The other appellations "in the Vintry," "by the Thames," are merely indications of locality.