On the south side of Fore Street, in Cripplegate Ward Without (P.O. Directory).
First mention: Grant by Aelmund to the canons of St. Paul of his church of St. Giles built outside the walls, temp. H. I. (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. 62).
Stow says it was built by Alfune about 1090 (pp. 34 and 432). He is quoting from the Liber S. Bartilmew which refers to the erection of the church of St. Giles not long before that of St. Bartholomew the Great (Cott. MS. Vespasian B. IX. p. 15).
Amongst the archives of St. Paul's, letters from Edmund, Bishop of London are preserved to the effect that the church of St.Giles had belonged to the Dean and Chapter from time out of mind (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 50).
Forms of name : "S. Giles of Crupelgate," 3 John (Anc. Deeds, A. 2119). "S. Giles without Cripelgate," 1242 (Cal. Ch. Rolls, H. III. I. 273). "S. Giles," Abbot, 1309-10 (Ct. H.W. I. 210). "S. Giles outside Cripelgate," 10 Ed. II. (Ch. I. p.m. 10 Ed. II.).
There was a Fraternity of St. Mary and St. Giles in the Church, founded in the 13th century (Cal. P.R. Rich. II. 1391-6, p. 170).
Stow (p. 432) says the first church stood where the Vicarage house now is (shown on O.S. 1875). But this is not certain, and some writers think that the tower forms part of the original structure and that the present church stands on the old site, or approximately so (Miller, 47).
It was rebuilt in the 14th century on its present site, on the bank of the Town Ditch (Denton, p. 22). Burnt down 1545, but rebuilt (S. 432), a "very fayre and large church" (ib. 301-2). Repaired 1623-9 and spire rebuilt 1629. Repaired again 1704 (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 82). Late Perpendicular. Restored 1862, Edmund Woodthorpe, architect.
A Vicarage. Patron : Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's.
The dedication to the French hermit-abbot St. Giles suggests the French influence of the Norman conquest. St. Giles was regarded as the especial patron of cripples and beggars.