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{{For|the abolished ancient and civil parishes|St Sepulchre (parish)}}
{{For|the abolished ancient and civil parishes|St Sepulchre (parish)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox church
{{Infobox church
| name                  = Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate
| name                  = Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate  
| fullname              = Holy Sepulchre, London
| fullname              = Holy Sepulchre, London
| other name            = Church of the Holy Sepulchre, London<br />Church of saint Edmund the (King and) Martyr and of the Holy Sepulchre (obsolete)<br />Church of saint/Saint Sepulchre, Holborn/Middlesex (dated)
| other name            = Church of the Holy Sepulchre, London;<br />Church of Saint Edmund, King & Martyr, and the Holy Sepulchre (''historical'');<br />Church of Saint Sepulchre, Holborn, Middlesex (''obsolete'')
| image                  = File:Church of Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate (Southwest View - 02).jpg
| image                  = File:Church of Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate (Southwest View - 02).jpg
| imagesize              = 220
| imagesize              = 220
| caption                = tower section of the church
| caption                = Holy Sepulchre Church Tower
| pushpin map            =
| pushpin map            =
| pushpin label position =
| pushpin label position =
| location              = [[London]], {{postcode|EC|1}}
| location              = [[London]], {{postcode|EC|1}}
| country                = United Kingdom
| country                = England
| denomination          = [[Church of England]]
| denomination          = [[Church of England]]
| churchmanship          = [[Low church|Low Church]] [[Evangelical Anglicanism|Evangelical]]
| churchmanship          = [[Low church|Low Church]] [[Evangelical Anglicanism|Evangelical]]
| founder                = unknown
| founder                = [[Cnut the Great|King Canute]]
| founded date          = before 1066
| founded date          = 11th century
| dedication            = [[Edmund the Martyr|Edmund the (King and) Martyr]] and to the Holy Sepulchre
| dedication            = [[Edmund the Martyr|St Edmund King & Martyr]] and [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre|the Holy Sepulchre]]
| consecrated date      = before 1066
| consecrated date      =  
| status                = [[Parish church]]
| status                = [[Parish church]]
| functional status      = Active
| functional status      = Active
| heritage designation  = Grade I [[listed building]]
| heritage designation  = Grade I-[[listed building]]
| designated date        = 4 January 1950
| designated date        = 4 January 1950
| architect              = various
| architect              = [[Joshua Marshall (sculptor)|Joshua Marshall]]
| architectural type    =
| architectural type    =
| style                  = [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] (tower)<ref name="Piper&Jervis"/>
| style                  = [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] ([[Bell tower|Tower]])<ref name="Piper&Jervis"/>
| years built            = 15th century (rebuilt)
| years built            = [[1440s|mid 15c]] (rebuilt)
| completed date        = 1670 (reopened)<ref name="Newgate1999"/>
| completed date        = 1670 (reopened)<ref name="Newgate1999"/>
| length                = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
| length                = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
Line 31: Line 32:
| width nave            = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
| width nave            = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
| height                = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
| height                = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
| other dimensions      = 3-storey porch
| other dimensions      = 3-storey [[Church porch|porch]]
| tower quantity        = 1
| tower quantity        = 1
| tower height          =
| tower height          =
Line 37: Line 38:
| bells                  = 12
| bells                  = 12
| bells hung            =
| bells hung            =
| parish                = St. Sepulchre with Christchurch, Greyfriars and St. Leonard, Foster Lane (as sole church of)
| parish                = St Sepulchre with [[Christ Church Greyfriars|Christ Church, Greyfriars]] and [[St Leonard, Foster Lane]] ([[Benefice#Church of England|united benefice]])
| deanery                = City of London (sole deanery in archdeanery)
| deanery                = [[City of London]] 
| archdeaconry          = [[Archdeaconry of London|London]]
| archdeaconry          = [[Archdeaconry of London|London]]
| diocese                = [[Diocese of London|London]]
| diocese                = [[Diocese of London|London]]
| province              = [[Province of Canterbury|Canterbury]]
| province              = [[Province of Canterbury|Canterbury]]
| priestincharge        = {{Abbreviation|Rev.|Reverend}} Nick Mottershead
| bishop                = [[Rt Revd]] & [[Rt Hon.]] [[Dame Sarah Mullally]] {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=90%|DBE}}
| archdeacon            = [[The Venerable|Ven.]] [[Luke Miller]] {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=90%|DL}}
| rector                = {{Abbreviation|Revd|Reverend}} Nick Mottershead {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=90%|FCA}}
}}
}}


'''Holy Sepulchre London''', formerly and in some official uses '''Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate''', is the largest [[Anglican]] parish church in the [[City of London]]. It stands on the north side of [[Holborn Viaduct]] across a crossroads from the [[Old Bailey]], and its [[ecclesiastical parish|parish]] takes in [[Smithfield Market]]. During medieval times, the site lay outside ("without") the [[London Wall|city wall]], west of the [[Newgate]].
'''Holy Sepulchre London''', formally known as '''Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate''', is the largest [[Anglican]] [[Church of England parish church|parish church]] in the [[City of London]].  


It has been known as the National Musicians' Church since 1955.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Concerts & Recitals |url=https://hsl.church/concerts |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Holy Sepulchre London |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-12-11 |title=Explorers, Musicians And Executions: A Look Inside St Sepulchre-without-Newgate |url=https://livinglondonhistory.com/explorers-musicians-and-executions-a-look-inside-st-sepulchre-without-newgate/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Living London History |language=en-US}}</ref> It has London's musicians' chapel in which a book of remembrance sits and an October/November requiem takes place – unusual for a church associated with [[Low church|Low Church]] [[Evangelical Anglicanism|Evangelicalism]]. The church has two local army regiment memorials.
Situated at the top of [[Snow Hill, London|Snow Hill]] on the north side of [[Holborn Viaduct]] by the crossroads next to the [[Old Bailey]]<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22819964 www.bbc.co.uk]</ref> and within the [[Newgate|Newgate Street]] [[Conservation Area (United Kingdom)|Conservation Area]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Newgate Street Conservation Area [No. 6]|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environment-and-planning/planning/heritage-and-design/conservation-areas/Pages/Newgate-Street-Conservation-Area.aspx|publisher=[[City of London Corporation]]}}</ref> the church has [[medieval]] [[Foundation (engineering)|foundations]].
The [[St Sepulchre (parish)|parish of St Sepulchre]] lies in the [[Wards of the City of London|ward]] of [[Farringdon Without]] and includes [[Smithfield Market]]. In the Middle Ages the [[Ecclesiastical parish|parish]] was outside ("without") the [[London Wall|city wall]], west of the [[City of London|City]] "[[Newgate|New Gate]]".<ref>[https://www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/newgate/ www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk]</ref>


The vicar is appointed by [[St John's College, Oxford]], which has held the church's patronage since 1622.
Since 1950, Holy Sepulchre Church serves as home to the [[The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)|Royal Regiment of Fusiliers]] [[Side chapel|Memorial Chapel]],<ref>[https://www.london.anglican.org/articles/fusiliers-chapel-remembers-fallen-soldiers-on-70th-anniversary-of-korean-war/ www.london.anglican.org]</ref> and the Musicians' Chapel since 1955, later being dubbed the '''National Musicians' Church'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-12-11 |title=Explorers, Musicians And Executions: A Look Inside St Sepulchre-without-Newgate |url=https://livinglondonhistory.com/explorers-musicians-and-executions-a-look-inside-st-sepulchre-without-newgate/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Living London History |language=en-US}}</ref>


The church is within the Newgate Street [[Conservation Area (United Kingdom)|Conservation Area]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Newgate Street Conservation Area [No. 6]|url=http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environment-and-planning/planning/heritage-and-design/conservation-areas/Pages/Newgate-Street-Conservation-Area.aspx|publisher=[[City of London Corporation]]}}</ref>
The [[Musicians' church|Musicians' Chapel]] displays a [[book of remembrance]] and holds a [[requiem]] in late autumn – unusual for [[Low church|Low Church]] [[Evangelical Anglicanism|Evangelicalism]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Concerts & Recitals |url=https://hsl.church/concerts |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Holy Sepulchre London |language=en-GB}}</ref>  


==History==
==History==


=== Early history ===
=== Early history ===
The original ([[Anglo-Saxons|probably pre-Norman]]) church on the site was dedicated to [[Edmund of East Anglia|St Edmund the King and Martyr]].<ref name="Newgate1999" /> In 1137 it was given to the [[St Bartholomew-the-Great|Priory of St Bartholomew]]. During the [[Crusades]] of that century the church was re-dedicated to Saint Edmund and the Holy Sepulchre, venerating the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]] in [[Jerusalem]]. Knights passed by on the way to the Holy Lands.<ref name="Newgate1999">{{cite web|title=Newgate: Conservation Area Character Summary|url=https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environment-and-planning/planning/heritage-and-design/conservation-areas/Documents/Newgate%20Street%20Character%20Summary.pdf|publisher=[[City of London Corporation|Corporation of London]]|date=1999}}</ref> This name became [[contraction (linguistics)|contracted]], and in the 21st century reference to the saint-king has been overwhelmingly dropped. The very early lessening of the first dedication helped to reserve that name for the small church to the east of [[St Paul's Cathedral]] dedicated to [[St Edmund, King and Martyr]].<ref>"The City of London Churches: monuments of another age" Quantrill, E; Quantrill, M p. 24: London; Quartet; 1975</ref>
The original ([[Anglo-Saxons|pre-Norman]]) [[Place of worship|church site]] was dedicated to [[Edmund of East Anglia|St Edmund the King & Martyr]],<ref name="Newgate1999" /> before being given in 1137 by [[Bishop Roger of Salisbury]] to the nearby [[St Bartholomew-the-Great|Priory of St Bartholomew]]. After the [[Second Crusade]] the advowson was re-dedicated to [[Edmund the Martyr|St Edmund]] and the Holy Sepulchre, venerating the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]] in [[Jerusalem]].<ref name="Newgate1999">{{cite web|title=Newgate: Conservation Area Character Summary|url=https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environment-and-planning/planning/heritage-and-design/conservation-areas/Documents/Newgate%20Street%20Character%20Summary.pdf|publisher=[[City of London Corporation|Corporation of London]]|date=1999}}</ref>  


The church is today the largest parish church in the city.<ref name=cc/> It was completely rebuilt in the 15th century<ref name=cc>"The City Churches" Tabor, M. p. 127: London; The Swarthmore Press Ltd; 1917</ref> but was gutted by the [[Great Fire of London]] in 1666,<ref>{{cite book|title=Samuel Pepys – The Shorter Pepys|editor-last=Latham|editor-first=Robert|page=484|location=[[Harmondsworth]]|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|date=1985|isbn=0140094180}}</ref> which left the outer walls,<ref>"The Survey of Building Sites in London after the Great Fire of 1666" Mills, P/ Oliver, J Vol I p. 124: [[Guildhall Library]] MS. 84 reproduced in facsimile, London, [[London Topographical Society]], 1946</ref> the tower and the porch standing.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Old Churches of London|last=Cobb|first=G|location=London|publisher=[[Pavilion Books|Batsford]]|date=1942}}</ref> It was rebuilt 1667–1679 by [[Joshua Marshall (sculptor)|Joshua Marshall]], the King's Master Mason, and appears to be remodelled to Marshall's own design.<ref>Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851 by Rupert Gunnis</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cathmarshall.com/biographies/1628-joshua-marshall|title=1628 – Joshua Marshall|access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref> Lightly modified in the 18th century,<ref name=listing/> the interior of the church is a wide, roomy space with a [[coffered ceiling]]<ref>"London:the City Churches" Pevsner, N / Bradley, S. New Haven, Yale, 1998 {{ISBN|0300096550}}</ref> installed in 1834 with plasterwork of three years later.<ref name=listing/> The church underwent considerable re-facing and alterations in 1878.<ref name=listing/> During the [[Second World War]] the 18th-century watch-house, built in the churchyard to deter grave-robbers, [[The Blitz|was bomb-struck]] but later  rebuilt. The vicarage was fully renovated in the early 2000s.
[[Knights Templar|Knights]] crusading to the Holy Land<ref>[https://eohsj.org.uk/ www.eohsj.org.uk]</ref> would attend [[Missa pro populo|parochial Mass]] led by a [[Augustinian canon|Canon of St Bartholomew's Priory]] in [[Smithfield, London|Smithfield]].<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/44440521] [[St Bartholomew-the-Great|St Bartholomew's Muniment Moom]]. www.jstor.org</ref>  
The ancient [[Worshipful Company of Haberdashers|Guild]] & [[Royal Foundation of St Katharine|Fraternity of St Katharine]] celebrated the [[Feast of the Immaculate Conception]] and other [[Patronal festival|Saints day]]s at the [[St Sepulchre (parish)|church of St Edmund, King & Martyr, and the Holy Sepulchre]],<ref>[[John Strype]]'s [https://www.dhi.ac.uk/strype/TransformServlet?page=book3_245 ''Survey of London'']. www.dhi.ac.uk</ref> until the [[1440s|mid]] [[15th century]] when they were granted [[royal charter]]s.<ref>[https://haberdashers.co.uk/history/ www.haberdashers.co.uk]</ref>


[[File:St Sepulchre-without-Newgate Interior, London, UK - Diliff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The interior of St Sepulchre]]
The name became [[contraction (linguistics)|contracted]] as [[St Sepulchre (parish)|St Sepulchre]], derived from '''''Sanctum Sepulchrum''''' ([[Latin language|Latin]] for ''Holy Sepulchre'') although there is no [[saint]] called "Sepulchre", with the [[Royal saint|royal saint and martyr]] reference falling into disuse by the 20th century; its 12th-century [[Dedications in the Church of England|re-dedication]] helped its differentiation from another smaller [[List of churches in the City of London|church]], also dedicated to [[St Edmund, King and Martyr]], to the east of [[St Paul's Cathedral]].<ref>"The City of London Churches: monuments of another age" Quantrill, E; Quantrill, M p. 24: London; Quartet; 1975</ref>
During [[Mary I of England|Mary I]]'s [[Marian persecutions|persecutions]], in 1555, the incumbent vicar [[John Rogers (Bible editor and martyr)|John Rogers]] was burned at the stake as a [[heresy|heretic]].
 
[[File:St Sepulchre-without-Newgate Interior, London, UK - Diliff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Nave of Holy Sepulchre Church, London]]
In 1555 the incumbent vicar, [[John Rogers (Bible editor and martyr)|Revd John Rogers]], [[Reader (liturgy)|Reader]] of [[St Paul's Cathedral|St Paul's]], was [[burned at the stake]] in [[West Smithfield|Smithfield]] as a [[heresy|heretic]] during the [[Marian persecutions|religious persecutions]] under [[Mary I of England|Mary I]].
 
The [[St John's College, Oxford|President and Fellows of St John's College, Oxford]],<ref>[https://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/discover/about-college/ www.sjc.ox.ac.uk]</ref> as [[Advowson|patrons of the advowson]] since 1622, retain the right to [[Nomination|present]], [[Interregnum|when vacant]], a [[parish priest|priest]] for appointment by the [[Bishop of London]].


===Bells===
===Bells===
The bells are referred to in the nursery rhyme ''[[Oranges and Lemons]]'' as the "bells of [[Old Bailey]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Community — Bells|url=http://stsepulchres.org/our-community/bells/ |publisher=stsepulchres.org}}</ref>
Holy Sepulchre's bells are referred to in the nursery rhyme ''[[Oranges and Lemons]]'' as the "[[Church bell|bells]] of [[Old Bailey]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Community — Bells|url=http://stsepulchres.org/our-community/bells/ |publisher=stsepulchres.org}}</ref>


In 1605, London merchant tailor  John Dowe paid the parish [[Pound sterling|£]]50 ({{Inflation|GBP|50|1605|r=-3|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}) to buy a [[handbell]] and to mark the execution of prisoners at the nearby gallows at [[Newgate Prison|Newgate]].<ref name="BHO">{{cite book|title=St. Sepulchre's and its neighbourhood|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol2/pp477-491|series=Old and New London, Volume 2|publisher=[[Cassell (publisher)|Cassell, Petter & Galpin]] (courtesy of [[British History Online]])|date=1878|pages=447–491}}</ref> This execution bell is displayed in a glass case in the [[nave]]. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the clerk was responsible for ringing it outside the condemned man's cell in [[Newgate Prison]] the night before his execution, and announcing the following "wholesome advice":<ref name="BHO"/><ref name="Piper&Jervis"/>
In 1605, [[Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors|Master Merchant Taylor]] Robert Dowe gave the parish [[Pound sterling|£]]50 ({{Inflation|GBP|50|1605|r=-3|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}) for commissioning a [[handbell]] to mark the execution of prisoners at the nearby [[gallows]] at [[Newgate]].<ref name="BHO">{{cite book|title=St. Sepulchre's and its neighbourhood|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol2/pp477-491|series=Old and New London, Volume 2|publisher=[[Cassell (publisher)|Cassell, Petter & Galpin]] (courtesy of [[British History Online]])|date=1878|pages=447–491}}</ref> This [[Death knell|execution bell]] is displayed in a glass case in the [[nave]]. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the [[Sexton (office)|sexton]] was responsible for ringing it outside the condemned man's cell in [[Newgate Prison]] the night before his execution, and announcing the following "wholesome advice":<ref name="BHO"/><ref name="Piper&Jervis"/>
{{quotation|
{{quotation|
All you that in the condemned hold do lie,<br />
All you that in the condemned hold do lie,<br />
Line 79: Line 88:
}}
}}


Given proximity to Newgate Prison and the [[Old Bailey]], built on the site of the prison, certain of the bells in its tower, aside from marking time, celebrating weddings and communion, were rung to announce executions. In the first years of the court this was as the condemned felon was led to [[Tyburn]].<ref name="Piper&Jervis">{{cite book|title=The Companion Guide to London|first1=David|last1=Piper|first2=Fionnuala|last2=Jervis|page=350}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=London's secret sights: 14 odd attractions you never knew were there|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/11230633/Londons-secret-sights-14-odd-attractions-you-never-knew-were-there.html?frame=3106622|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>
Given its proximity to [[Newgate Prison]] and the [[Old Bailey]], built on the site of the medieval gaol, certain of its bells, aside from marking time, celebrating weddings and communion, were rung to announce executions. In the first years of the [[Court of quarter sessions|court]] Holy Sepulchre's bells tolled as the condemned felon was led to [[Tyburn]].<ref name="Piper&Jervis">{{cite book|title=The Companion Guide to London|first1=David|last1=Piper|first2=Fionnuala|last2=Jervis|page=350}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=London's secret sights: 14 odd attractions you never knew were there|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/11230633/Londons-secret-sights-14-odd-attractions-you-never-knew-were-there.html?frame=3106622|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="190">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="190">
File:1064640-Church of St Sepulchre.JPG|The bell tower
File:1064640-Church of St Sepulchre.JPG|St Sepulchre Church Tower
File:NewgateExecutionBell.jpg|The Execution Bell
File:NewgateExecutionBell.jpg|The Execution Bell
File:St Sepulchre-without-Newgate 2020.jpg|Exterior
File:St Sepulchre-without-Newgate 2020.jpg|South aspect of St Sepulchre Church,<br> with its porch on Holborn
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Army memorials===
===Army Memorials===
The south aisle of the church holds the regimental chapel of [[the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)]] (merged to form the [[Royal Regiment of Fusiliers]]), to whom its gardens are a memorial.<ref>"The Visitors Guide to the City of London Churches" Tucker,T: London, Friends of the City Churches, 2006 {{ISBN|0955394503}}</ref> The west end of the north aisle has memorials for the [[City of London Rifles]] (the 6th Battalion [[London Regiment (1908–1938)|London Regiment]]).
{{See also|Royal Fusiliers War Memorial}}
[[File:St Sepulchre without Newgate, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1 - Royal Arms - geograph.org.uk - 1164324.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Coat of arms]] of [[George II of Great Britain|George II]]]]
[[The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)]] [[Side chapel|Chapel]],<ref>[https://www.fusiliermuseumlondon.org/regimental-history www.fusiliermuseumlondon.org]</ref> selected in 1946 for the [[Orientation of churches|south aisle]] of Holy Sepulchre  Church, was dedicated in 1950 by the [[Very Revd]] [[Walter Matthews (priest)|Dr W. R. Matthews]], [[Dean of St Paul's]]. Re-dedicated as the [[Royal Regiment of Fusiliers|Royal Fusiliers Memorial Chapel]] after amalgamation in 1968,<ref>[https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-regiment-of-fusiliers-1/ www.army.mod.uk]</ref> in the presence of [[Lord Mayor of London|Lord Mayor]] [[Gilbert Inglefield|Sir Gilbert Inglefield]],<ref>[https://rrflondon.2day.uk/section/TheRegimentalChapelsinLondon] The Royal Fusiliers Memorial Chapel Committee Chairman: [[Deputy lieutenant of Greater London#20th Century|Colonel Michael Dudding]] {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=90%|OBE|TD|DL}}</ref> the [[Churchyard|Regimental Garden of Remembrance]] is dedicated to all [[Royal Fusilier]]s from [[time immemorial]].<ref>"The Visitors Guide to the City of London Churches" Tucker,T: London, Friends of the City Churches, 2006 {{ISBN|0955394503}}</ref>  
 
At the [[Aisle|north aisle's west end]] are [[memorial]]s to the [[City of London Rifles]] (6th Battalion [[London Regiment (1908–1938)|London Regiment]]).<ref>[https://www.londonregimentassociation.co.uk/making-of-the-regiment www.londonregimentassociation.co.uk]</ref>


===Musicians' Chapel===
===Musicians' Chapel===
By the north aisle is the Musicians' Chapel. As St Stephen's chapel it hosted votive masses to the 12th-century monastic saint [[Stephen Harding]] prior to the [[English Reformation]] and during the reign of [[Mary I of England]].<ref name=le/>
Beside the north aisle is the [[Musicians' church|Musicians' Chapel]], originally known as St Stephen's Chapel, dedicated to the 12th-century monastic [[Saint Stephen Harding|St Stephen Harding]], where [[votive Mass]]es were held before the [[English Reformation]] and then during the reign of [[Mary I of England|Mary I]].<ref name=le/>


The ashes of conductor Sir [[Henry Wood]], founder of [[Promenade Concerts|{{abbr|The Proms|Promenade Concerts, generally and in all broadcasts abbreviated to the Proms.}}]], who learnt to play the organ at the church as a boy, were interred here in the 1940s.<ref name=le/>
The ashes of conductor [[Sir Henry Wood]], founder of ''[[Promenade Concerts|{{abbr|The Proms|Promenade Concerts, generally and in all broadcasts abbreviated to the Proms.}}]]'', who learnt to play the organ at the church as a boy, were interred in St Stephen's Chapel.<ref name=le/>


It was rededicated to musicians by Dr. W.R. Matthews, [[Dean of St Paul's]], on 2 January 1955 in the presence of many distinguished musicians including an orchestra conducted by Sir [[Malcolm Sargent]] and the [[BBC Singers]].<ref name=le/>  Its four windows commemorate Sir Henry Wood, [[John Ireland (composer)|John Ireland]], Dame [[Nellie Melba]] and [[Walter Carroll]]<ref name=le>"The London Encyclopædia" Hibbert, C; Weinreb, D; Keay, J: London, Pan Macmillan, 1983 (revised 1993, 2008) {{ISBN|978-1405049245}}</ref>
It was re-dedicated to musicians on 2 January 1955 by the [[Walter Matthews (priest)|Dean of St Paul's]], in the presence of many distinguished musicians, with [[Sir Malcolm Sargent]] conducting an orchestra and ''the [[BBC Singers]]''.<ref name=le/>  Its four [[Church window|windows]] commemorate the composers [[Walter Carroll]] and [[John Ireland (composer)|John Ireland]], opera singer [[Dame Nellie Melba]] and Sir Henry Wood.<ref name=le>"The London Encyclopædia" Hibbert, C; Weinreb, D; Keay, J: London, Pan Macmillan, 1983 (revised 1993, 2008) {{ISBN|978-1405049245}}</ref>


The chapel's appearance and the Musicians' Book of Remembrance are maintained by the Friends of the Musicians' Chapel. A Service of Thanksgiving for all those in the book is held at the church each year as well as a requiem close to [[All Souls' Day]]. Many concerts and memorial events for musicians have been held in the church.
The [[chapel]]'s décor and the ''Musicians' Book of Remembrance'' are maintained by the Friends of the Musicians' Chapel.<ref>[https://musicianschapel.org.uk www.musicianschapel.org.uk]</ref> A [[Memorial service|Service of Thanksgiving]] for all those in the book is held each year as well as a requiem on or about [[All Souls' Day]]. Many concerts and memorial events for [[musician]]s continue to be held at Holy Sepulchre, London.<ref>[https://www.wcomarchive.org.uk/parish-registers www.wcomarchive.org.uk]</ref>


=== Recent history ===
=== Modern history ===
The church was known as the National Musicians' Church for 70 years, until August 2017 when hiring of the facilities for non-religious events was banned, against assurances which had been given when [[Holy Trinity Brompton|HTB]] took over in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Madeleine |date=2017-08-24 |title=Music luminaries protest at St Sepulchre's plans |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/25-august/news/uk/music-luminaries-protest-at-st-sepulchre-s-plans-to-end-concerts |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250321173426/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/25-august/news/uk/music-luminaries-protest-at-st-sepulchre-s-plans-to-end-concerts |archive-date=2025-03-21 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=[[Church Times]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Fifty figures from the musical world, including [[Aled Jones]], [[Julian Lloyd Webber]], [[John Rutter]], [[James MacMillan]] and [[Judith Weir]], signed an open letter urging reversal of the ban and preservation of the church's "unique national cultural remit".<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |last2= |first2= |date=2017-08-23 |title=UK's leading musicians fight church's ban on secular bookings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/23/uks-leading-musicians-fight-church-ban-on-secular-bookings-aled-jones-judith-weir |access-date=2025-03-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 7,800 people signed a petition asking for the decision to be reversed. Acting Bishop of London [[Pete Broadbent]] tried to convince the church to reverse its ban. Andrew Earis, director of music at [[St Martin-in-the-Fields]] and former director of music at St Sepulchre, regretted that the church had not changed its decision, which he said was "doing irreparable harm to the church as a whole".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |last2= |first2= |date=2017-09-28 |title=London church rebuffs bishop's efforts to get it to remain concert venue |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/sep/28/london-church-st-sepulchre-without-newgate-rebuffs-remain-concert-venue |access-date=2025-03-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
St Sepulchre united with the [[Benefice#Church of England|benefices]] of [[Christ Church Greyfriars|Christ Church, Newgate Street]]<ref>[https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/city-gardens/find-a-garden/christchurch-greyfriars-church-garden www.cityoflondon.gov.uk]</ref> and [[St Leonard, Foster Lane]] in 1954,<ref>[https://citizensmemorial.wordpress.com/history-of-christ-church/ www.citizensmemorial.wordpress.com]</ref> its [[incumbent (ecclesiastical)|incumbent]] being [[Ecclesiastical titles and styles|titled]] [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|Rector]].


In 2017, the vicar ceased parish funds financing the requiem and allowing of most free rehearsing time. A protest was held and many prominent musicians including John Rutter sought continued benevolence from the wider congregation and church patron. Attempts to mediate failed.{{Clarify|date=March 2025}}
The [[Church (building)|church]] was known as the '''National Musicians' Church''' for 70 years until August 2017, when hiring of the facilities for non-religious events was banned, against assurances given when [[Holy Trinity Brompton|HTB]] took over in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Madeleine |date=2017-08-24 |title=Music luminaries protest at St Sepulchre's plans |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/25-august/news/uk/music-luminaries-protest-at-st-sepulchre-s-plans-to-end-concerts |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250321173426/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/25-august/news/uk/music-luminaries-protest-at-st-sepulchre-s-plans-to-end-concerts |archive-date=2025-03-21 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=[[Church Times]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Fifty distinguished luminaries from the musical world, including [[Aled Jones]], [[Julian Lloyd Webber]], [[James MacMillan]], [[John Rutter]], [[Jane Glover]] and [[Judith Weir]], signed an [[open letter]] urging reversal of the ban and preservation of the church's "unique national cultural remit".<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |last2= |first2= |date=2017-08-23 |title=UK's leading musicians fight church's ban on secular bookings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/23/uks-leading-musicians-fight-church-ban-on-secular-bookings-aled-jones-judith-weir |access-date=2025-03-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 7,800 people signed a petition for the decision to be reversed.<ref>[https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/sign-the-petition-to-reverse-ban-on-musicians-at-st-sepulchre-s www.musiciansunion.org.uk]</ref>The [[Rt Revd]] [[Pete Broadbent]], [[Bishop of London|Acting Bishop of London]], also tried to convince the church to reverse its ban. Dr Andrew Earis,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0c9fcnv/p0c9fjz7 www.bbc.co.uk]</ref> director of music at [[St Martin-in-the-Fields]] and former director of music at Holy Sepulchre, regretted that the church had not changed its decision, which he said was "doing irreparable harm to the church as a whole".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |last2= |first2= |date=2017-09-28 |title=London church rebuffs bishop's efforts to get it to remain concert venue |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/sep/28/london-church-st-sepulchre-without-newgate-rebuffs-remain-concert-venue |access-date=2025-03-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>


Nick Mottershead became Priest-in-Charge of Holy Sepulchre in 2021.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Madeleine |date=2024-01-12 |title=HTB's allies alarmed by bid to resist same-sex blessings |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/12-january/news/uk/htb-s-allies-alarmed-by-bid-to-resist-same-sex-blessings |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240112185525/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/12-january/news/uk/htb-s-allies-alarmed-by-bid-to-resist-same-sex-blessings |archive-date=2024-01-12 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=[[Church Times]]}}</ref>
In 2017, the Revd David Ingall,<ref>[https://tbn.uk/people/david-ingall/ Revd David Ingall, Ministry Director at Burning Heart]</ref> Rector of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, discontinued parish funds financing the [[requiem]] and allowing free rehearsal time. A protest was held and many prominent musicians including Sir John Rutter sought continued benevolence from the wider congregation and [[Advowson|church patron]]; attempts to mediate failed.<ref>[https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/29-september/news/uk/the-musicians-church-goes-virtual-as-st-sepulchre-s-sticks-to-its-guns www.churchtimes.co.uk]</ref>


In 2024, Mottershead clarified that the church is not a member of the [[HTB network]]. He described work to "rebuild a reputation around being the Musicians’ Church and to redefine and communicate that this is a place that is welcoming to all. Faith or no faith, meeting people where they are — all that language is super-important to me." He welcomed the introduction of same-sex blessings and expressed support for same-sex marriage in the future.<ref name=":02" />
Appointed [[Priest-in-Charge]] in 2021,<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Madeleine |date=2024-01-12 |title=HTB's allies alarmed by bid to resist same-sex blessings |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/12-january/news/uk/htb-s-allies-alarmed-by-bid-to-resist-same-sex-blessings |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240112185525/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/12-january/news/uk/htb-s-allies-alarmed-by-bid-to-resist-same-sex-blessings |archive-date=2024-01-12 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=[[Church Times]]}}</ref> [[the Revd]] Nick Mottershead {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=90%|FCA}}<ref>[https://www.richardreevesfoundation.org.uk/governors www.richardreevesfoundation.org.uk]</ref> was instituted as Rector of St Sepulchre in 2024.<ref>[https://www.london.anglican.org/articles/clergy-and-staff-moves-september-2024/ www.london.anglican.org]</ref> Scion of a Cheshire family who became [[Mercers' Company|Mercers]], Mottershead serves since 2020 as [[Chaplain|Honorary Chaplain]] to the [[Worshipful Company of Fuellers]].<ref>[https://www.fuellers.co.uk/news/our-chaplain-nick-mottershead-is-being-installed-as-rector-of-holy-sepulchre-church-on-wednesday-23rd-october-2024/ www.fuellers.co.uk]</ref>


==Protection and recognition of architecture==
Clarifying that Holy Sepulchre Church is no longer a member of the [[HTB network]], its newly-installed [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|Rector]]<ref>[https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/27-september/gazette/appointments/appointments www.churchtimes.co.uk]</ref> in 2024 described his work "to rebuild a reputation around being the [[Musicians' church|Musicians’ Church]] and to redefine and communicate that this is a place welcoming to all. [[Faith]] or no faith, meeting people where they are — all that language is super-important to me." The Revd Fr Nick Mottershead also encouraged the introduction of same-sex blessings and expressed support for same-sex marriage in the future.<ref name=":02" />
The church has been designated a Grade I [[listed building]] (the highest grade) since 1950.<ref name=listing>{{NHLE |num=1064640 |access-date=23 January 2009}}</ref>
 
==Notable people associated with the church==
* [[Thomas Culpeper]], Tudor courtier, buried here
* [[Thomas Gouge]], minister ejected in 1662
* [[Samuel Gurney (MP)|Samuel Gurney]], MP, erected the first drinking fountain for the [[Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association]] on the railings of the church. It was restored to the original location in 1913 and remains there.
* [[Peter Mullen|Rev Dr Peter Mullen]], commentator, author and former rector, sometime chaplain to the [[London Stock Exchange]]
* [[John Rogers (Bible editor and martyr)|John Rogers]], minister, Bible translator, and the first English Protestant martyr under [[Mary I of England]]; he was burnt at the stake
* [[Anthony St Leger (Master of the Rolls)|Sir Anthony St Leger]], Tudor judge, and his first wife Eleanor Markham, buried here
* [[John Smith (explorer)|Sir John Smith]], governor of [[Virginia]] and associate of [[Pocahontas]], buried 1631 in the south aisle. Smith is also commemorated by a window designed by [[Francis Skeat]] and installed in 1968.<ref>{{cite web |work=St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate |title=The John Smith Window |url=http://web.me.com/a.earis/stsepulchre.htm |access-date=22 December 2010}}</ref>
* [[Austin Osman Spare]], artist, attended the church school, now a physiotherapy centre, behind the church in [[Snow Hill, London|Snow Hill]] Court
* [[Roger Williams]] (1603–1683), founder of [[Rhode Island]], USA
* [[Henry Wood|Sir Henry Wood]], founding conductor at the [[BBC Proms|Proms]]
* [[Charles Wriothesley]], long-serving [[officer of arms]] at the [[College of Arms]], buried 1562 in the middle aisle


==Organ==
==Organ==
[[File:The organ at St Sepulchre, Holborn Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 1806393.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The organ]]
[[File:The organ at St Sepulchre, Holborn Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 1806393.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Holy Sepulchre Church pipe organ]]
The north aisle is dominated by a splendid [[organ (music)|organ]] built by [[Renatus Harris]] in 1670;<ref>Pearce,C.W. "Notes on Old City Churches: their organs, organists and musical associations" London, Winthrop Rogers Ltd 1909</ref> the organ case is its sole mention in the architectural listing, adding a date, 1677.<ref name=listing/>
The north aisle is dominated by a splendid [[pipe organ]] built by [[Renatus Harris]] in 1670;<ref>Pearce, C.W. "Notes on Old City Churches: their organs, organists and musical associations" London, Winthrop Rogers Ltd 1909</ref> the [[organ case]] is its sole mention in the ''[[National Heritage]]'' architectural listing, adding the date of 1677.<ref name=listing/>


The swell was added by John Byfield in {{circa|1730}}. The organ was enlarged in 1817 by James Hancock and by John Gray in 1828 and 1835, and [[Gray and Davison]] in 1849, 1852 and 1855. It was rebuilt in 1932 by [[Harrison and Harrison]]. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N17580|title=The National Pipe Organ Register – NPOR}}</ref>  It is not currently playable, though efforts are being made to restore it to a playable condition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fundraising for Organ Restoration and Piano Replacement |url=https://hsl.church/fundraising |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Holy Sepulchre London |language=en-GB}}</ref> A Makin digital organ is used when required for services.
The [[Swell box|swell]] was added by John Byfield in {{circa|1730}}. The organ was enlarged in 1817 by James Hancock and by John Gray in 1828 and 1835, then [[Gray & Davison]] in 1849, 1852 and 1855. Rebuilt in 1932 by [[Harrison & Harrison]], Holy Sepulchre's organ specifications can be found on the [[National Pipe Organ Register]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N17580|title=The National Pipe Organ Register – NPOR}}</ref>  Not currently playable, efforts are being made to restore the church's pipe organ,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fundraising for Organ Restoration and Piano Replacement |url=https://hsl.church/fundraising |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Holy Sepulchre London |language=en-GB}}</ref> a [[John Compton (organ builder)|Makin digital organ]] is used as required for services.


The choir has now composed of eight professional singers.
Holy Sepulchre's [[choir]] now comprises eight professional singers.


===Organists===
===Organists===
{{Incomplete list|date=April 2022}}
{{Incomplete list|date=April 2022}}
* Francis Forcer 1676–1704
*Francis Forcer 1676–1704
* Thomas Deane 1705–1712
*Thomas Deane 1705–1712
* Benjamin Short 1712–1760
*Benjamin Short 1712–1760
* William Selby and Samuel Jarvis 1760–1773
*[[William Selby]] and Samuel Jarvis 1760–1773
* Samuel Jarvis 1773–1784
*Samuel Jarvis 1773–1784
* George Cooper 1784–1799
*George Cooper 1784–1799
* George Cooper 1799–1843 (son of above)
*George Cooper 1799–1843 (son of above)
* [[George Cooper (organist)|George Cooper]] 1843–1876 (son of above)
*[[George Cooper (organist)|George Cooper]] 1843–1876 (son of above)
* James Loaring
*James Loaring
* Edwin Matthew Lott
*Edwin Matthew Lott
* Edgar Pettman
*[[Edgar Pettman]]
* Frank B. Fowle {{circa|1921}}
*Frank Basil Fowle 1924–1958
* Peter Asprey (Director of Music; present)
*Peter Asprey ([[Director of Music]]–present)
* Joshua Ryan (Organist elect; from May 2022)
*Joshua Ryan (Organist-elect)
 
==Architecture==
Now the largest parish church in the City,<ref name=cc/> Holy Sepulchre was completely rebuilt in the 15th century<ref name=cc>"The City Churches" Tabor, M. p. 127: London; The Swarthmore Press Ltd; 1917</ref> but was gutted by the [[Great Fire of London]] in 1666,<ref>{{cite book|title=Samuel Pepys – The Shorter Pepys|editor-last=Latham|editor-first=Robert|page=484|location=[[Harmondsworth]]|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|date=1985|isbn=0140094180}}</ref> which left standing only the outer walls,<ref>"The Survey of Building Sites in London after the Great Fire of 1666" Mills, P/ Oliver, J Vol I p. 124: [[Guildhall Library]] MS. 84 reproduced in facsimile, London, [[London Topographical Society]], 1946</ref> the [[Bell tower|tower]] and the [[Church porch|porch]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Old Churches of London|last=Cobb|first=G|location=London|publisher=[[Pavilion Books|Batsford]]|date=1942}}</ref>
 
Rebuilt between 1667 and 1679 by [[Joshua Marshall (sculptor)|Joshua Marshall]], the King's Master Mason, Holy Sepulchre appears to be remodelled to Marshall's own design.<ref>Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851 by Rupert Gunnis</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cathmarshall.com/biographies/1628-joshua-marshall|title=1628 – Joshua Marshall|access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref> Lightly modified in the 18th century,<ref name=listing/> the interior of the church is a wide, roomy space with a [[coffered ceiling]]<ref>"London:the City Churches" Pevsner, N / Bradley, S. New Haven, Yale, 1998 {{ISBN|0300096550}}</ref> installed in 1834, with plasterwork completed three years later.<ref name=listing/> The church underwent considerable re-facing and alterations in 1878,<ref name=listing/> then remodelling by [[Sir Charles Nicholson, 2nd Baronet|Sir Charles Nicholson]] in 1932.
 
During the [[Second World War]] its 18th-century [[Guardhouse|watch house]], built in the churchyard to deter grave-robbers, [[The Blitz|was bomb-struck]] but later rebuilt. The church has been designated a Grade I-[[listed building]] (the highest grade) since 1950.<ref name=listing>{{NHLE |num=1064640 |access-date=23 January 2009}}</ref> [[St Sepulchre (parish)|St Sepulchre]] [[Vicarage]] on [[Giltspur Street]] was fully renovated when the incumbent, [[Peter Mullen|Revd Dr Peter Mullen]], was serving as the [[Michael Oliver (Lord Mayor of London)|Lord Mayor's Chaplain]] in 2001/02.
 
==Notable people associated with Holy Sepulchre Church==
*[[Henry Cromwell#Family|Thomas Cromwell]] (1699–1748), great-grandson of [[Lord Protector]] [[Oliver Cromwell]], was a parishioner<ref>[https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/thomas-cromwell-16991748-48832 www.artuk.org]</ref>
*[[Thomas Culpeper]], Tudor courtier, buried here
*[[Thomas Fiennes, 9th Baron Dacre]], Tudor nobleman, buried here
*[[List of lord and lady mayors of London#17th century|Sir Thomas Davis]], Pepys' bookseller and Lord Mayor of London 1676/77, is buried here<ref>[https://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclopedia/5644/ www.pepysdiary.com]</ref>
*[[Thomas Gouge|Revd Thomas Gouge]], Vicar ejected as a Presbyterian in 1662
*[[Samuel Gurney (MP)|Samuel Gurney]] {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=90%|MP}}, erected the first drinking fountain for the [[Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association|Metropolitan Drinking Fountain & Cattle Trough Association]] on the railings of St Sepulchre Church, restored in 1913, where it remains
*[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[George Augustus Eliott, 1st Baron Heathfield]], married Anne Drake here in 1748<ref>[https://www.burkespeerage.com/ www.burkespeerage.com]</ref>
*[[Peter Mullen|Revd Dr Peter Mullen]], Rector 1998–2012, sometime Chaplain to the [[London Stock Exchange]] and writer
*[[Sir Charles Nicholson, 2nd Baronet|Sir Charles Nicholson]] {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=90%|Bt|FRIBA}}, remodelled the interior in 1932
*[[William Rosewell (apothecary)#Family|Francis Phillips (1575–1622)]], [[Auditor of the Receipt of the Exchequer|auditor of the Royal Exchequer]] and patron of the living<ref>[https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/jas1/1603-10/pp103-140 www.british-history.ac.uk]</ref>
*[[Hugh Plat|Sir Hugh Platt]] and his son, William Platt, were parishioners
*[[John Rogers (Bible editor and martyr)|Revd John Rogers]], Reader of St Paul's, Bible translator and the first English Protestant martyr under [[Mary I of England|Mary I]]
*[[Anthony St Leger (Master of the Rolls)|Sir Anthony St Leger]], Tudor judge, and his first wife Dame Eleanor ''née'' Markham, buried in 1613 and 1599 respectively
*[[Senior captain|Captain]] [[John Smith (explorer)|Sir John Smith]], [[List of colonial governors of Virginia|Governor of Virginia]] whom [[Princess Pocahontas]] rescued, buried 1631 in the south aisle; also commemorated by a window designed by [[Francis Skeat]] and installed in 1968<ref>{{cite web |work=St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate |title=The John Smith Window |url=http://web.me.com/a.earis/stsepulchre.htm |access-date=22 December 2010}}</ref>
*[[Austin Osman Spare]], artist, attended the [[Parochial school|church school]], now a physiotherapy centre, behind the church in [[Snow Hill, London|Snow Hill Court]]
*[[George Whitmore (haberdasher)|Sir George Whitmore]], Master Haberdasher and [[Lord Mayor of London|Lord Mayor]], was a parishioner and father-in-law of [[Edmund Sawyer (MP)|Edmund Sawyer]] {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=90%|MP}}<ref>[https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-1629/member/sawyer-edmund-15867-1676 www.historyofparliamentonline.org]</ref>
*[[Roger Williams|Revd Roger Williams]] (1603–1683), founder of [[Rhode Island]], British America
*[[Sir Henry Wood]], founding conductor at ''the [[BBC Proms]]''
*[[Charles Wriothesley]], long-serving [[Windsor Herald]] at the [[College of Arms]] and chronicler, buried 1562 in the middle aisle.


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity|London}}
{{Portal|Christianity|London}}
* [[List of churches and cathedrals of London]]
*[[List of churches and cathedrals of London]]
*[[St Bartholomew-the-Great|Priory of St Bartholomew, London]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{commonscat|St Sepulchre-without-Newgate}}
==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat|St Sepulchre-without-Newgate}}
[https://hsl.church/ St Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church] website
* [https://hsl.church/ St Sepulchre-without-Newgate] church website


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{{Churches in the City of London}}
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Holy Sepulchre London, formally known as Saint Sepulchre-without-Newgate, is the largest Anglican parish church in the City of London.

Situated at the top of Snow Hill on the north side of Holborn Viaduct by the crossroads next to the Old Bailey[1] and within the Newgate Street Conservation Area,[2] the church has medieval foundations. The parish of St Sepulchre lies in the ward of Farringdon Without and includes Smithfield Market. In the Middle Ages the parish was outside ("without") the city wall, west of the City "New Gate".[3]

Since 1950, Holy Sepulchre Church serves as home to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Memorial Chapel,[4] and the Musicians' Chapel since 1955, later being dubbed the National Musicians' Church.[5]

The Musicians' Chapel displays a book of remembrance and holds a requiem in late autumn – unusual for Low Church Evangelicalism.[6]

History

Early history

The original (pre-Norman) church site was dedicated to St Edmund the King & Martyr,[7] before being given in 1137 by Bishop Roger of Salisbury to the nearby Priory of St Bartholomew. After the Second Crusade the advowson was re-dedicated to St Edmund and the Holy Sepulchre, venerating the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.[7]

Knights crusading to the Holy Land[8] would attend parochial Mass led by a Canon of St Bartholomew's Priory in Smithfield.[9] The ancient Guild & Fraternity of St Katharine celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and other Saints days at the church of St Edmund, King & Martyr, and the Holy Sepulchre,[10] until the mid 15th century when they were granted royal charters.[11]

The name became contracted as St Sepulchre, derived from Sanctum Sepulchrum (Latin for Holy Sepulchre) although there is no saint called "Sepulchre", with the royal saint and martyr reference falling into disuse by the 20th century; its 12th-century re-dedication helped its differentiation from another smaller church, also dedicated to St Edmund, King and Martyr, to the east of St Paul's Cathedral.[12]

File:St Sepulchre-without-Newgate Interior, London, UK - Diliff.jpg
Nave of Holy Sepulchre Church, London

In 1555 the incumbent vicar, Revd John Rogers, Reader of St Paul's, was burned at the stake in Smithfield as a heretic during the religious persecutions under Mary I.

The President and Fellows of St John's College, Oxford,[13] as patrons of the advowson since 1622, retain the right to present, when vacant, a priest for appointment by the Bishop of London.

Bells

Holy Sepulchre's bells are referred to in the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons as the "bells of Old Bailey".[14]

In 1605, Master Merchant Taylor Robert Dowe gave the parish £50 (Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[".) for commissioning a handbell to mark the execution of prisoners at the nearby gallows at Newgate.[15] This execution bell is displayed in a glass case in the nave. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the sexton was responsible for ringing it outside the condemned man's cell in Newgate Prison the night before his execution, and announcing the following "wholesome advice":[15][16] Template:Quotation

Given its proximity to Newgate Prison and the Old Bailey, built on the site of the medieval gaol, certain of its bells, aside from marking time, celebrating weddings and communion, were rung to announce executions. In the first years of the court Holy Sepulchre's bells tolled as the condemned felon was led to Tyburn.[16][17]

Army Memorials

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File:St Sepulchre without Newgate, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1 - Royal Arms - geograph.org.uk - 1164324.jpg
Coat of arms of George II

The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Chapel,[18] selected in 1946 for the south aisle of Holy Sepulchre Church, was dedicated in 1950 by the Very Revd Dr W. R. Matthews, Dean of St Paul's. Re-dedicated as the Royal Fusiliers Memorial Chapel after amalgamation in 1968,[19] in the presence of Lord Mayor Sir Gilbert Inglefield,[20] the Regimental Garden of Remembrance is dedicated to all Royal Fusiliers from time immemorial.[21]

At the north aisle's west end are memorials to the City of London Rifles (6th Battalion London Regiment).[22]

Musicians' Chapel

Beside the north aisle is the Musicians' Chapel, originally known as St Stephen's Chapel, dedicated to the 12th-century monastic St Stephen Harding, where votive Masses were held before the English Reformation and then during the reign of Mary I.[23]

The ashes of conductor Sir Henry Wood, founder of The Proms, who learnt to play the organ at the church as a boy, were interred in St Stephen's Chapel.[23]

It was re-dedicated to musicians on 2 January 1955 by the Dean of St Paul's, in the presence of many distinguished musicians, with Sir Malcolm Sargent conducting an orchestra and the BBC Singers.[23] Its four windows commemorate the composers Walter Carroll and John Ireland, opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and Sir Henry Wood.[23]

The chapel's décor and the Musicians' Book of Remembrance are maintained by the Friends of the Musicians' Chapel.[24] A Service of Thanksgiving for all those in the book is held each year as well as a requiem on or about All Souls' Day. Many concerts and memorial events for musicians continue to be held at Holy Sepulchre, London.[25]

Modern history

St Sepulchre united with the benefices of Christ Church, Newgate Street[26] and St Leonard, Foster Lane in 1954,[27] its incumbent being titled Rector.

The church was known as the National Musicians' Church for 70 years until August 2017, when hiring of the facilities for non-religious events was banned, against assurances given when HTB took over in 2013.[28][29] Fifty distinguished luminaries from the musical world, including Aled Jones, Julian Lloyd Webber, James MacMillan, John Rutter, Jane Glover and Judith Weir, signed an open letter urging reversal of the ban and preservation of the church's "unique national cultural remit".[29] 7,800 people signed a petition for the decision to be reversed.[30]The Rt Revd Pete Broadbent, Acting Bishop of London, also tried to convince the church to reverse its ban. Dr Andrew Earis,[31] director of music at St Martin-in-the-Fields and former director of music at Holy Sepulchre, regretted that the church had not changed its decision, which he said was "doing irreparable harm to the church as a whole".[32]

In 2017, the Revd David Ingall,[33] Rector of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, discontinued parish funds financing the requiem and allowing free rehearsal time. A protest was held and many prominent musicians including Sir John Rutter sought continued benevolence from the wider congregation and church patron; attempts to mediate failed.[34]

Appointed Priest-in-Charge in 2021,[35] the Revd Nick Mottershead Template:Post-nominals[36] was instituted as Rector of St Sepulchre in 2024.[37] Scion of a Cheshire family who became Mercers, Mottershead serves since 2020 as Honorary Chaplain to the Worshipful Company of Fuellers.[38]

Clarifying that Holy Sepulchre Church is no longer a member of the HTB network, its newly-installed Rector[39] in 2024 described his work "to rebuild a reputation around being the Musicians’ Church and to redefine and communicate that this is a place welcoming to all. Faith or no faith, meeting people where they are — all that language is super-important to me." The Revd Fr Nick Mottershead also encouraged the introduction of same-sex blessings and expressed support for same-sex marriage in the future.[35]

Organ

File:The organ at St Sepulchre, Holborn Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 1806393.jpg
Holy Sepulchre Church pipe organ

The north aisle is dominated by a splendid pipe organ built by Renatus Harris in 1670;[40] the organ case is its sole mention in the National Heritage architectural listing, adding the date of 1677.[41]

The swell was added by John Byfield in c. Template:TrimScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".. The organ was enlarged in 1817 by James Hancock and by John Gray in 1828 and 1835, then Gray & Davison in 1849, 1852 and 1855. Rebuilt in 1932 by Harrison & Harrison, Holy Sepulchre's organ specifications can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[42] Not currently playable, efforts are being made to restore the church's pipe organ,[43] a Makin digital organ is used as required for services.

Holy Sepulchre's choir now comprises eight professional singers.

Organists

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  • Francis Forcer 1676–1704
  • Thomas Deane 1705–1712
  • Benjamin Short 1712–1760
  • William Selby and Samuel Jarvis 1760–1773
  • Samuel Jarvis 1773–1784
  • George Cooper 1784–1799
  • George Cooper 1799–1843 (son of above)
  • George Cooper 1843–1876 (son of above)
  • James Loaring
  • Edwin Matthew Lott
  • Edgar Pettman
  • Frank Basil Fowle 1924–1958
  • Peter Asprey (Director of Music–present)
  • Joshua Ryan (Organist-elect)

Architecture

Now the largest parish church in the City,[44] Holy Sepulchre was completely rebuilt in the 15th century[44] but was gutted by the Great Fire of London in 1666,[45] which left standing only the outer walls,[46] the tower and the porch.[47]

Rebuilt between 1667 and 1679 by Joshua Marshall, the King's Master Mason, Holy Sepulchre appears to be remodelled to Marshall's own design.[48][49] Lightly modified in the 18th century,[41] the interior of the church is a wide, roomy space with a coffered ceiling[50] installed in 1834, with plasterwork completed three years later.[41] The church underwent considerable re-facing and alterations in 1878,[41] then remodelling by Sir Charles Nicholson in 1932.

During the Second World War its 18th-century watch house, built in the churchyard to deter grave-robbers, was bomb-struck but later rebuilt. The church has been designated a Grade I-listed building (the highest grade) since 1950.[41] St Sepulchre Vicarage on Giltspur Street was fully renovated when the incumbent, Revd Dr Peter Mullen, was serving as the Lord Mayor's Chaplain in 2001/02.

Notable people associated with Holy Sepulchre Church

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ www.bbc.co.uk
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk
  4. ↑ www.london.anglican.org
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ www.eohsj.org.uk
  9. ↑ [1] St Bartholomew's Muniment Moom. www.jstor.org
  10. ↑ John Strype's Survey of London. www.dhi.ac.uk
  11. ↑ www.haberdashers.co.uk
  12. ↑ "The City of London Churches: monuments of another age" Quantrill, E; Quantrill, M p. 24: London; Quartet; 1975
  13. ↑ www.sjc.ox.ac.uk
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ www.fusiliermuseumlondon.org
  19. ↑ www.army.mod.uk
  20. ↑ [2] The Royal Fusiliers Memorial Chapel Committee Chairman: Colonel Michael Dudding Template:Post-nominals
  21. ↑ "The Visitors Guide to the City of London Churches" Tucker,T: London, Friends of the City Churches, 2006 Template:ISBN
  22. ↑ www.londonregimentassociation.co.uk
  23. ↑ a b c d "The London Encyclopædia" Hibbert, C; Weinreb, D; Keay, J: London, Pan Macmillan, 1983 (revised 1993, 2008) Template:ISBN
  24. ↑ www.musicianschapel.org.uk
  25. ↑ www.wcomarchive.org.uk
  26. ↑ www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
  27. ↑ www.citizensmemorial.wordpress.com
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ www.musiciansunion.org.uk
  31. ↑ www.bbc.co.uk
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Revd David Ingall, Ministry Director at Burning Heart
  34. ↑ www.churchtimes.co.uk
  35. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ www.richardreevesfoundation.org.uk
  37. ↑ www.london.anglican.org
  38. ↑ www.fuellers.co.uk
  39. ↑ www.churchtimes.co.uk
  40. ↑ Pearce, C.W. "Notes on Old City Churches: their organs, organists and musical associations" London, Winthrop Rogers Ltd 1909
  41. ↑ a b c d e Template:NHLE
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ a b "The City Churches" Tabor, M. p. 127: London; The Swarthmore Press Ltd; 1917
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ "The Survey of Building Sites in London after the Great Fire of 1666" Mills, P/ Oliver, J Vol I p. 124: Guildhall Library MS. 84 reproduced in facsimile, London, London Topographical Society, 1946
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851 by Rupert Gunnis
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ "London:the City Churches" Pevsner, N / Bradley, S. New Haven, Yale, 1998 Template:ISBN
  51. ↑ www.artuk.org
  52. ↑ www.pepysdiary.com
  53. ↑ www.burkespeerage.com
  54. ↑ www.british-history.ac.uk
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ www.historyofparliamentonline.org

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External links

St Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church website

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