Intriguing Name You Got There – London’s St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate

English poet John Donne (1572-1631) was once quoted regarding church bells, which could be applied to the bells of St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate (and later inspired the title of a classic English novel).

Part of what Donne said: “… never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.” Centuries passed and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1940) by American novelist Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was published in 1940.

The use of a bell at a funeral is commonplace, but this quote is particularly appropriate for St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate for different reasons. One is its historical connection to Newgate Prison. Another is its inclusion in the traditional English nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons." Third, and most importantly, for its traditional function as a church.

Learn more about the St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate, an Anglican Church also referred to as the Holy Sepulchre Church.

Where Is St. Sepulchre?

COPYRIGHT_WI: Published on https://washingtonindependent.com/st-sepulchre-without-newgate/ by Adaline Fritz on 2022-02-01T11:31:41.904Z

St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate in London is a parish church and the largest one of its kind in the city.

It’s located somewhere near London’s road bridge called Holborn Viaduct.

It has a long and illustrious history extending all the way back to 1137. This history contains a reference to John Smith (Pocahontas is credited for saving him from execution).

Today St. Sepulchre's is best recognized as the National Musician's Church, as it has a thriving musical legacy that dates back hundreds of years.

The present St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate was constructed in a place where a Saxon church once stood.

Formerly known as “St. Edmund,” its name became “St. Edmund and Holy Sepulchre” in the 12th Century. It was changed when the church came under control of Augustinian Canons – also known as Knights of the Holy Sepulchre – during the reign of Pope Urban II.

Decades passed and the church was simply called “St. Sepulchre.” Due to its proximity to the New Gate of the Roman Wall that surrounded the city of London, the words “without-Newgate” were added to its official name to distinguish it from other buildings. It’s “without-gate” because the New Gate of the Roman Wall was already demolished.

The church was mentioned in historical records from 1137. In 1450, it underwent major renovation. In 1666, during the Great Fire of London, St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate was greatly damaged. So, in the 1670s, it again underwent another restoration.

In the 1700s and 1800s, the renovations continued, and in the mid-1800s, a lot of renovations were made on the interior of the church.

What Is The Meaning Of Holy Sepulchre?

This article earlier mentioned that the St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate is also called by its London parishioners – and everybody else in general – as the Holy Sepulchre Church. The church likewise calls itself the Holy Sepulchre London.

After Jesus Christ was crucified – known as the Crucifixion – He was placed inside a tomb during His burial. This tomb has since been referred to as the Holy Sepulchre.

This Holy Sepulchre is found in the Old City of Jerusalem inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Conclusion

It was fortunate that St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate was one of those structures that wasn’t destroyed during the series of German bombings in the U.K. during World War II known as The Blitz.

At present, regular lunchtime recitals and evening concerts are held at the church on a regular basis.

London’s St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate is a destination both from a spiritual viewpoint and from a tourism aspect.

About The Authors

Adaline Fritz - Adaline's upbeat, can-do attitude and nurturing disposition make her perfect for understanding each client's wants and needs and skillfully directing them toward their real estate objectives. Adaline has experience in all facets of the real estate process, having started in the administrative sector and progressed to operations before achieving success in real estate sales. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from San Diego State University and Western Oregon University, and returned to the Portland area in 2011 to pursue a career in real estate. She also loves traveling, working out, and spending time on the water during Portland's beautiful summers.