The advowson of this church is in the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to this parish that of St. John the Evangelist is united. The Vicar, besides glebes, casualties, annual donations, and other advantages, receives 1401. a year in lieu of tithes. Maitland.
The following monumental inscripton in this church is worthy of a place in this work. It is to the memory of Humfrey Levins, a citizen and grocer of London, who died in 1682, in the fifty-third year of his age, and his son Humfrey, a youth aged fourteen, who died in 1677, and lies buried in the same grave.
Which shall we weep? both merit tears; yet sure
Tears are but vain, where bliss is so secure.
Which shall we praise? our eulogy can’t add
Unto the bless’d, who God’s kind euge had.
Our duty’s but to imitate and admire
This happy pair of the celestial choir.
Allhallows the Great, situated on the south side of Thames street, was anciently denominated Allhallows the More, and Allhallows ad Fœnum in the Ropery, from its vicinity to a hay-wharf or market, and situation among ropemakers. The old church with a large cloister on the south side, were consumed in the general conflagration in 1666, and the present edifice arose in 1683. It was built on Sir Christopher Wren’s plan; but in some parts the mason has taken inexcusable liberties. The church is 87 feet in length, 60 in breadth, and the height to the roof is 33. It is built of stone, and there runs thro’ the whole, an apparent strength and solidity. The walls are plain and massy, the ornaments are few and simple, and the apertures, tho’ large, in order to enlighten so considerable a breadth, are not numerous. The tower is plain, square, and divided into five stages, but terminates absolutely square and plain, without spire, turret or pinacles. The cornice is supported by scrolls, and over these rises a balustrade of solid construction, very proper for the rest of the building. Maitland, and English Architecture.
Among the funeral monuments in this church, before its being burnt, was one in memory of Queen Elizabeth, with the following inscriptions: