Church History: Brief Overview
St Sepulchre’s has a fascinating history stretching back to the 12th Century.
The church’s early history encompasses two rebuilds, the second of which followed the Great Fire of 1666. Importantly, the church is the final resting place of Captain John Smith, first Governor of Virginia, USA, who was buried in the church in 1633. The church’s somewhat macabre links with the Old Bailey serve as a sombre reminder of the age of capital punishment.
In the twentieth-century, the church became firmly associated with the musical life of the country through its connection with Sir Henry Wood, founder of “The Proms”, and the dedication of the Musicians’ Chapel. St Sepulchre’s is now best known as the National Musicians’ Church.
To find out more, click the links on the left.