At the extreme western end of Cheapside, between Blow Bladder Street north and Paternoster Row south. In Farringdon Ward Within (Leake, 1666).
The parish extends into Aldersgate Ward.
First mention: "St Michael que fundata est ante portam Sancti Pauli," 12th cent. (H MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 20). "St Michael de Foro," 12th cent. (ib. 64).
Other forms : "St Michael where corn is sold," 1258-9 (Ct. H.W. I. 3). "Sancti Mich' ad bladum," 3 Ed. I. (Rot. Hund I. 404). "St. Michael le Quern," 1260 (Ct. H W. I. 7). "Par. S. Michis in capite fori de sopis ad portam cimiterii," 1285 (MS. D. and C St. Paul's, Lib. L. 93). "St. Michael atte Corn," 1297-8 (Ct. H.W. I. 131). "St. Michael in Foro ad Bladum," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. I. 229 and 233). "St. Michael atte Corne by the church of St. Paul," 1320 (Cal. P.R. Ed. II. 1317-21, p. 442). "Seint Myghell atte Querne in Chepesyde," 26 H. VIII. (Anc. Deeds, A. 13611).
Licence granted to enlarge the Church on a part of the common soil of the City, 8 H VI. (Cal. L. Bk. K. p. 106).
Repaired and beautified 1617. Burnt in the Fire and not rebuilt.
Parish united to St. Vedast, Foster Lane (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 191).
Conduit in place of the Church (ib.).
A Rectory. Patrons : Canons of St. Paul's, afterwards the Dean and Chapter.
The derivation of the name is clearly shown by the form given above "St. Michael where corn is sold," 1258-9, the church being situated at the western end of the great market of the City.
The "Querne" in M.E. = a "handmill" for crushing corn.