St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, Holborn

St Sepulchre-without-Newgate is an Anglican parish church in Holborn, London, standing beside the site of the old Newgate gate and the Old Bailey courthouse. Today it also serves as the National Musicians' Church and as the memorial chapel of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

What is the history of the church?

The present building dates from around 1450, when records say it was rebuilt at the expense of Sir John Popham. The Great Fire of 1666 badly damaged it. Unlike almost every other City church hit by the fire, it was not rebuilt by Christopher Wren. A popular story says the churchwardens were too impatient to wait for the architect to begin. The interior was reworked several times in the 19th and 20th centuries.

How is it linked to executions at Newgate?

From the 17th to the 19th century the church's bells marked executions of prisoners held at nearby Newgate. In 1605 the merchant Robert Dowe gave the parish £50 to commission a handbell. On the night before an execution, the sexton rang it outside the condemned prisoner's cell. The bell is still kept at the church. The "bells of Old Bailey" in the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons" are often associated with this place.

Why is it called the Musicians' Church?

In 1955 the north aisle became the Musicians' Chapel, and the church came to be known as the National Musicians' Church. Sir Henry Wood, founder of the Proms, is closely tied to it. He was christened here, his father sang tenor in the choir, and from the age of ten he was allowed to practise on the organ. His ashes lie in the chapel, in the north aisle beneath the window dedicated to St Cecilia, patron saint of music.

Who else is connected with it?

Captain John Smith, a founder of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia, is buried in the church, which makes it a stop of interest for anyone curious about early American history.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the church? In Holborn, in the City of London, at the corner with Old Bailey, close to the Central Criminal Court and St Paul's Cathedral. The coordinates are roughly 51.5167 N, 0.1024 W.

Can visitors go inside? It is a working parish church, so opening times and events such as concerts and services are worth checking with the parish beforehand.

What should I look for inside? The Musicians' Chapel with its windows commemorating notable artists, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers chapel, and the 1605 execution handbell.

Is it a Wren church? No. Although it stands in the City, it was restored after the Great Fire without Christopher Wren.

How can I combine it with other sights? It sits near St Paul's Cathedral and the Old Bailey, so it fits easily into a walk through the western City, following London's penal history and musical traditions.