St. Botolph's, Aldersgate

St Botolph's, Aldersgate
St Botolph without Aldersgate
Location	Aldersgate Street, City of London
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Church of England, Presbyterian
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade I listed building
Administration
Diocese	London

St Botolph without Aldersgate (also known as St Botolph's, Aldersgate) is a Church of England church in London dedicated to St Botolph. It is located on Aldersgate Street in the City of London.

Of medieval origin, the church survived the Great Fire of London with only minor damage but subsequently fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in 1788–91. The church is renowned for its beautiful interior and historic organ. It is currently used by the London City Presbyterian Church, a congregation of the Free Church of Scotland.

The church was one of four in medieval London dedicated to Saint Botolph or Botwulf, a 7th-century East Anglian saint, each of which stood by one of the gates to the City. The other three churches dedicated to St Botolph were St Botolph's, Billingsgate (destroyed by the Great Fire and not rebuilt), St Botolph's, Aldgate, and St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate. Before the legend of Saint Christopher became popular, Botolph was venerated as the patron saint of travellers, which is thought to be why churches at the City gates have this dedication.

The church was founded before 1291. The earliest recorded rector is John de Steventon in 1333. The living was originally in the possession of St Martin's-le-Grand, but on the dissolution of the priory King Henry VIII granted it to the bishop of the newly founded Diocese of Westminster. The patronage eventually passed to the dean and chapter of Westminster Abbey.

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