St. Paul's Chapter House

St. Paul's Chapter House

On the north side of St. Paul's Churchyard at No. 68 (P.O. Directory). In Castle Baynard Ward.

First mention of the original Chapter House: A place on the south side of the church, from the door called "ostium capituli" to the schools in which the Chancellor lectures and crosswise as far as the stone wall opposite, that is to say the place called the garden of the Dean and Chapter for the building thereon of a chapter-house and cloister, 1332 (H. MSS. Com. 9th Rep. p. 27).

Stow describes this old building as a beautiful piece of work but defaced by the erection of low sheds and high houses (S. 372–3). The new building designed by Sir Christopher Wren was of red brick, erected 1712 (N. and Q. 5th S. X. 462–3).

Chapter House, on the north side of St. Paul's church yard. This is a handsome building, belonging to St. Paul's, in which the Convocation of the province of Canterbury sat to consult about ecclesiastical affairs, and to form canons for the government of the church: but tho' the upper and lower house are called by the King's writ at every session of parliament, they are not constantly prorogued, and dismissed by his Majesty's authority.

Chapter-House, St. Paul's churchyard, is a substantial brick building on the north side of the church-yard, at the corner of Chapter-house-court. It belongs to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, and is celebrated for being the place wherein the convocation of the province of Canterbury formerly sat to debate about ecclesiastical affairs, and to form canons for the government of the church. But although the upper and lower house of convocation are called by the king's writ at every session of parliament, they are as constantly prorogued and dismissed by his majesty's authority.