St. Mary Woolnoth Church

John Newton was the pastor here from 1780-1807. William Wilberforce was part of the congregation during that time. Even though he was originally buried here, around 1900 the City & South London Railroad was going to demolish the church for an Underground (subway) stop. The church remained due to public outcry, but the vault/crypt/cemetery was removed, and Newton’s body was moved to his church in Olney.

Inscription:

John Newton, Clerk, Once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy. He ministered near 16 years as curate and vicar of Olney in Bucks, and 28 years as rector of these United parishes. On Feb the First 1750, he married Mary, Daughter of the late George Catlett, of Chatham, Kent, who he resigned to the Lord who gave her on Dec the 15th, 1790. The above Epitaph was written by the Deceased who directed it to be inscribed on a plain Marble Tablet. He died on Dec the 21st, 1807, Aged 82 Years, and his mortal Remains are deposited in the Vault beneath this Church.

Photo – Neddyseagoon – CC4.0 – Own work