St James Garlickhithe, London Genealogy

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St James Garlickhithe, the church of, is situated at the corner of Garlick Hill and Maiden Lane, Upper Thames Street, and derives its name from being dedicated to St James the Apostle, and its addition from its ancient vicinity to the Garlick market of the city. The earlist mention of this church is, that it was rebuilt by Richard deRothin, sheriff, in 1326. The ancient church was destroyed by the great fire of 1666, the foundation of the present building was liad in 1676, and the church finished in 1682. It is build of stone, is 75 feet in length, 45 feet in breath, and 40 feet in height to the ceiling. This steeple much resembles those of Stephen, in Walbrook, and St Michael, Royal College Hill, which are three as original, handsome and tastful erections of the sort, as any in London. From the body of the church projects a very handsome dial, upon the top which is a statue of the apostle to whom the church is dedicated. This church is a rectory, the patronage of which appears to have been in the abbot and convent of Westminster, till the suppression of their monastery by Henry VIII, when coming to crown, it was granted by Queen Mary to the Bishop fo London, and in the patronage of the Bishop of that see.

[Adapted from: Topographical Dictionary of London by James Elmes; published 1831]