The exact period when the Church was erected is a question of great uncertainty. In the Domesday Survey of the Parish no mention is made of any endowment for a priest, which is considered by some writers a proof that there was no Church existing. This conclusion is doubtful. There is no record relative to the Rectory previous to the reign of Edward II., therefore it is conjectured that the Church was first founded about that period.
Mr. Bowack says, “In the year 1667, the old Church, which was much decayed, being too small to contain the congregation, grown large by the vast increase of buildings about that time in the town,” (what would he now think, in 1869, of the immense number of houses, and 70,000 inhabitants!) “it was agreed by the parishioners that part of it should be demolished, and that such alterations and additions should be made as were necessary for decent accommodation. Accordingly the shattered tower and west end of the Church were pulled down, and the north and south aisles carried several yards towards the west, by two brick walls, being in all about 80 ft. from the ground. The walls of the Church were raised, the windows enlarged, the old parts beautified, the inside new paved, the churchyard considerably raised, and enclosed with a high wall of brick; and most of this done at the voluntary charge of the inhabitants, and the whole roof, lead, timber, &c., at the sole cost of the Lady Jane Cheyne. The Church was furnished with all the necessary ornaments, and the steeple with a good ring of six bells, by the bounty of the inhabitants.”
From this statement it would appear that the Church was originally of small dimensions.
It will not be asserting too much if we say that the Old Parish Church contains more magnificent monuments, to the memories of distinguished individuals, than are to be found in any other church in the metropolis.
LORD BRAY.—In the chancel, the most ancient monument is that of Lord Bray, and of his son Lord John Bray. It is an altar-tomb, now much defaced, but was originally ornamented with the effigies in brass of these two noble lords, and with escutcheons of their arms. According to Weever, there was the following inscription in his time:—“Of your charitie pray for the soul of Edmund Bray, knight, Lord Bray, cosin and heire to Sir Reginald Bray, Knight of the Garter.” There is a very long and curious account of the funeral of Lord John Bray in the Herald’s College, 1557.