St Pancras, Soper Lane

St Pancras, Soper Lane, was a parish church in the City of London, in England. Of medieval origin, it was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666^[2] and not rebuilt.

St Pancras, Soper Lane[1]
2008 photo of site
Location	Pancras Lane
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Architecture
Demolished	1666

History

St Pancras, Soper Lane, was in the Ward of Cheap, City of London.^[3] The street from which it took its name was renamed after the Great Fire,^[4] although sources vary as to whether it became Queen Street^[4] or Pancras Lane.^[5] The church was first built in the twelfth century.^[6] It was a small building, with a tower containing five bells. There was a chapel on the north side.^[6]

Though small, the parish had some wealthy residents, and the church received various benefactions.^[5] In 1617 it was presented with a monument commemorating Elizabeth I^[6] by Thomas Chapman. In 1621 the renovation of the building was financed by a group of benefactors, including Chapman, and a porch was added in 1624, paid for by Chapman's son.^[5]

The patronage of the church belonged to the prior and chapter of Christ Church, Canterbury, until 1365, when they granted it to the Archbishop of Canterbury.^[4] There was a parsonage house on the corner of Pancras Lane and Queen Street; in 1670 it was leased out for 40 years, at an annual rent of £2.^[5]

Destruction

Along with the majority of churches in the City, St Pancras, Soper Lane, was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in September 1666.^[7] It was not rebuilt; instead the parish was united with those of St Mary-le-Bow and All Hallows, Honey Lane. The rebuilt St Mary-le-Bow served as the church for the united parishes, and the site of St Pancras was retained as a graveyard.^[4]