St Mary-Axe. From a vanished church of St Mary that stood opposite to a shop which had an axe for its sign. Originally “St Mary-by-the-Axe.”
St Mary-le-Bow. See “[Bow Church].”
St Mary Woolnoth. Dedicated to the Virgin; this church was so called because it stood nough, or nigh, to the ancient wool beam or staple.
St Michael’s Mount. Anciently the seat of a religious house, to the monks of which, as tradition states, St Michael once appeared on the crag, where in later years a castle was built, the exact spot being indicated by a stone lantern, since known as “St Michael’s Chair.”
St Olave’s. A corruption of “St Olafs,” this church having been dedicated to Olaf, King of Norway, who Christianised his country, and at the invitation of Ethelred came over to England to render aid in the work of expelling the Danes.
St Pancras. This parish takes its name from the ancient church in Old St Pancras Road dedicated to the boy saint who was martyred by Diocletian. A representation of this youth being attacked by wild dogs may be seen on the stone bridge over the Regent’s Canal, which serves as a boundary mark to the parish.
St Partridge’s Day. A popular nickname for “Partridge Day.”
St Paul of the Cross. See “[Passionists].”
St Petersburg. Founded by Peter the Great, and dedicated to St Peter, whose church is situated within the citadel.
St Sepulchre’s. The foundation of this church was the outcome of the Crusades, in honour of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. Appropriately enough, the bell of the modern edifice gave warning to the unhappy inmates of the condemned cell in Newgate Prison over the way of their approaching last hour.