IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): CLA/079
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: CHURCHES
Date(s): 1394-1985
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 0.6 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Corporation of London
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
In 1250 the City of London had 100 parishes and 13 monasteries. By the time of the Great Fire in 1666 there were 96 parishes, served by 108 churches. All but 21 of these were destroyed by the fire. 51 were rebuilt under the direction of architect Sir Christopher Wren, including St Paul's Cathedral. Only 23 of these rebuilt churches survived bombing in World War Two.
The City Churches Commission was formed by Bishop of London David Hope in 1992, to consider the future of City churches. The resulting report suggested that 27 churches were redundant and should be converted for other use. The public outcry that followed led to the development of the Friends of the City Churches. In 2003 there were 41 churches in the City of London.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers relating to the administration and management of various London churches, 1394-1985, including general reports, correspondence, and printed acts; papers relating to individual parish churches, including Saint Andrew Undershaft, Saint Bartholomews, Saint Bartholomew the Great, Saint Benet Link, Saint Botolph (without) Aldgate, Saint Dunstans, Saint George Southwark, Saint Giles, Cripplegate, Saint John the Evangelist, Brownswood Park, Saint Katharine by the Tower, Saint Lawrence Jewry, Saint Maquis, Saint Margaret Pattens, Saint Peter Cornhill, Saint Martin's le Grand, Saint Olave Old Jury, Saint Mary Aldermanbury, Saint Mary, Colechurch, Saint Mary-le-Bow, Saint Mary Magdalen, Old Fish Street, Saint Olave, Hart Street, Saint Olaves, Silver Street, Saint Pancras, Saint Peter's, Cornhill, Saint Saviour, Southwark, Saint Stephens Walbrook and Saint Brides; papers relating to burial grounds and reports, correspondence, minutes, orders of service and programmes, staff lists, account books, orders, inventories and agreements from Saint Paul's Cathedral.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
In sections according to catalogue.
Conditions governing access:
These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright: City of London.
Physical characteristics:
Fit
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Corporation of London Records Office.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
For Corporation of London records relating to churches and religion, see: CLA/079: Churches, CA/080: Religion, COL/CC/STH: Special Tithes Committee, COL/CC/TIC: Tithe Committee, COL/CHD/PR: Chamberlain's Department: Poor and other relief, COL/CT: Charities and COL/PL for plans of churches and churchyards.
The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Department holds the archives of St Paul's Cathedral.
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Date(s) of descriptions: February 2009