(ST.) STEPHEN COLEMAN STREET

   On the west side of Coleman Street, next to No. 35 (P.O. Directory). In Coleman Street Ward.

   First mention found in records: "Parish of St. Stephen Colemanstrate," 15 John (Anc. Deeds, A. 6884).

   Other names : " St. Stephen in the Jewry," 52 H. III. (ib. 2043). In will of John Sokelyng said to be a chapel annexed to St. Olave, Old Jewry, 1431-2 (Ct. H.W. II. 456). Also so described in 1317 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p.28).

   But by Inquisition, 15 and 29 Hen. VI., it was found to be a parish church and not a chapel, 31 H. VI. 1452 (Cal. P.R. H. VI. 1452-61, p. 16).

   Repaired and beautified 1622 and 1629 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 59).

   Burnt in the Fire and rebuilt 1674-6 (ib. 62).

   Cleaned and decorated 1879.

   A Vicarage. Patron: Walter de Norwico, c. 20 Ed. I., afterwards 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 237) and until temp. H. VIII. the Prior of Botelee in Suffolk. After the dissolution, the parishioners acquired the right of presentation.

   Newcourt says that in 1182 the church belonged to the Canons of St. Paul's, and that an Inquisition was held about that time into the state of the church (I. p.535). In the Hist. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 68b, the church is only spoken of as St. Stephen's, without any distinctive appellation, but probably the contents of the MS. itself enable it to be identified with St. Stephen Coleman Street.

   Newcourt says the Prior of Butley held the advowson from the Canons of St. Paul.