Pubs with a Saintly Name
by Esmerelda Weatherwax (October 2013)
Part II of the Ecclesiastical theme I started in May. I have omitted pubs named after St George as I covered them in April 2010.
St James Brighton.
It’s in St James Street. Under the Co-op in St James Street was the site of the St James’ Chapel, built in 1810 and used by several different nonconformist groups until it was bought by the Church of England and demolished in the 1950s. What I can’t find is whether the chapel named the street, or the name of the street inspired the name of the chapel, and was there an earlier dedication to either of the Saints named James prior to 1810.
St Radegund Cambridge
St Crispin and Crispianus
Feast 25th October. Famous for the speech which begins.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
The sign on the left is from the pub in Strood, visited by Dickens and described in his book the Uncommercial Traveller. The pub closed and then the 17th century building caught light and was in a very sad state. But a Mr Singh bought it last year and is working hard to restore it. Locals are optimistic.
Just off Fleet Street. St Brides is one of my favourite of the City Churches. It was built on Roman foundations which can be seen in the crypt, near or on one of the first site of Christian worship in London. In the 6th century the first stone-walled church was built by Celtic monks who may have been directed by St Bride, (or Bridget or Brigid) as she is better known herself. She was named for the Celtic goddess Brig; baptised by St Patrick himself and was noted for good works and the foundation of the monastery of Kildare. As with Anu and St Anne, sites dedicated to her may originally have been associated with Brig.
The church is busy in the City with outreach to city workers, pastoral work among the print trade, regular early morning and lunchtime celebrations of Holy Communion and music.
Chesterfield has a shoemenders sign for two Kent saints and a pub named for an Essex Saint, St Helen.
The Chapel of St Helen was converted into a schoolroom in the late 16th century and continued in use until the 18th century. I think that must be the reason for the name of the modern ward, street and pub.
According to the same list of symbols of the saint where I identified (not necessarily correctly) the halberd of St James the Less, St Helen is traditionally portrayed wearing a royal crown and holding a cross.
Whether or not the pub is the oldest in the country, or is really haunted by an Essex witch its newest sign was definitely awarded the accolade of Best Pub Sign of 2012, as well as tributes for the quality of its beer and live music.
Earlier signs, prior to 2007, from 2008 and the prize-winner from 2012.
St Edmund’s Tavern Bury St Edmunds
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