St Michael Bassishaw, London Genealogy

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St Michael Bassishaw, the church of, stands on the western side of Basinghall Street, and derives its name from its dedication to St Michael the Archangel, and its addition from Basing's Haw or hall [See Basingahll Street)]. The ancient church was originally founded in the year 1140, and was then in the patronage of the prior and canons of St Bartholomew, inSmithfield. [From] about 1430, it fell to the Dean and Chaopter of St Paul's in whose patronage it has continued...

The old church, which was a beautiful specimen of the ecclesiastical architecture of our ancestors, was entirely destroyed by the fire of London, and the present building was erected in its stead, from the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. It is a plain and useful structure, of brick and stone, of no very striking character. The church is a rectory in the city, diocese and arhcdeaconry of London and in the patronage of the Deans and canons of St Paul's.

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