(St.) Stephen Walbrook

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

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.

Related Words

The Walbrook
A stream of some size and importance which flowed through the centre of the City from north to south...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Stephen
same as Stephanas ...

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Stephen
One of the seven deacons, who became a preacher of the gospel. He was the first Christian martyr. Hi...

Easton's Bible Dictionary
stephen
Money. Stephen's at home; i.e. has money. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
Stephen
the first Christian martyr, was the chief of the seven (commonly called Deacons) appointed to rectif...

William Smith's Bible Dictionary
(St.) John Walbrook
See St. John the Baptist, Walbrook. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
(St.) Thomas Walbrook
Parish of St. Thomas Walbrook, in Cordwainers Ward, 1568 (L. and P. Ed. VI. D.S. VII. 67). Qy. = St...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Walbrook, Street
South from Mansion House to Cannon Street (P.O. Directory). In Walbrook Ward. Earliest mention: " W...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Walbrook Buildings
See Worcester House2, Walbrook. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Walbrook Corner
Down west from this parish church (St. Swithin's), from London Stone have ye Walbrooke corner (S. 22...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Walbrook Ward
One of the twenty-six wards of the City lying between Cheap, Broad Street, and Cornhill Wards north,...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Gosson, Stephen
(1554-1624) Poet, actor, and satirist, b. in Kent, and ed. at Oxf., he went to London, and wrote pl...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Hawes, Stephen
(d. 1523?) Poet; very little concerning him is known with certainty. He is believed to have been b....

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Phillips, Stephen
(b. 1868) Poet. Marpessa (1890), Eremus (1894), Christ in Hades (1896), Poems (1897), Paolo and Fra...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Bell Inn, Walbrook
See Bell Court. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Bond's Court, Walbrook
See Bond Court. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Church Court, Walbrook
See Church Row. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
(St.) James' in Walbrook
St. James parish in Wallebroke, 29 H. VIII. (L. and P H. VIII. XII. (1) p. 589). Probably an error ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
(St.) Miltheldrede upon Walbrook
See St. Mildred Poultry. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Foster, Stephen Collins
(1826-1864) Song-writer, was b. in Pittsburgh. He wrote over 100 songs, many of which had extraordi...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Hawker, Robert Stephen
(1804-1875) Poet and antiquary, ed. at Cheltenham and Oxf., became parson of Morwenstow, a smugglin...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Stephen, Sir James
(1789-1859) Statesman and historical writer, s. of James S., Master in Chancery, ed. at Camb., and ...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Stephen, Sir Leslie
(1832-1904) Biographer and critic, s. of the above, was b. in London, and ed. at Eton, King's Coll....

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
(St.) Stephen Coleman Street
On the west side of Coleman Street, next to No. 35 (P.O. Directory). In Coleman Street Ward. First ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
(St.) Stephen without Newgate
Rents in this parish are mentioned in will of Gilbert le Palmer, 1249 (Ct. H.W. I. 617). Probably a...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
(St.) John the Baptist, Walbrook
On the west side of Dowgate Hill, at the north-east corner of Cloak lane (Leake, 1666). In Walbrook ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
(St.) Stephen in the Jewry
See St. Stephen Coleman Street. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.