Family history sources

Historical note:
The present church was built 1774 - 1777 to the design of George Gibson on the site of earlier churches. Gibson's design incorporated the tower (1471-1512) of the medieval church.
The chancel, designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield, was added in 1881 when the nave was re-modelled in Victorian style.

Further reading:
Lewisham: history and guide. By John Coulter. 1994
Parish Church of St. Mary, Lewisham, Kent, its building and re-building. By Leland Duncan, 1892.
Notes on the ancient parish of St. Mary, Lewisham. By J.A.B. Robertson, c.1962.

Parish registers:
The registers are held at the London Metropolitan Archives, 40, Northampton Road, London EC1R OHB. e-mail: LMA@ms.corpoflondon.gov.uk
Baptisms 1703 - 1920
Marriages 1703 - 1741, 1750 - 1921
Burials 1703 - 1827, 1830 - 1911

A large number of the pre-1830 registers were damaged or destroyed in the disastrous fire of 1830, which seriously damaged the north side of the church. The damaged originals are kept at Lewisham Local History & Archives Centre, Lewisham Central Library, 199-201 High Street, Lewisham, SE13 6LG

Baptisms 1813 - 1830, 1920 - 1957
Marriages 1754 - 1790, 1799 - 1821, 1823 - 1830 (partial), 1921 - 1975
Burials 1813 -

Parish register transcripts
Register of marriages, christenings, and burials in the Church of St. Mary, Lewisham, Kent...from 1558 - 1750. Edited by Leland Duncan. 1891.

Monumental Inscriptions
St. Mary's Churchyard was closed for burials in 1856.
St. Mary's monumental inscriptions have been recorded in:

The Monumental Inscriptions in the church and churchyard of St. Mary's Lewisham. By H.C. Kirby and Leland Duncan, 1889. A list of names can be found by clicking HERE.

The churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin, Lewisham: a survey by Ken White. Published by the author, 1992.
Burials after that date were in Ladywell Cemetery, Ladywell Road, SE13.
Enquiries relating to the cemetery registers should be sent to Lewisham Crematorium, Verdant lane, Catford London, SE6

Further information
Lewisham Local History & Archives Centre holds not only a wealth of genealogical information relating to Lewisham families, but also the archives of ST. Mary's Church.

e-mail:local.studies@lewisham.gov.uk

Enquiries can also be made to The Churchwarden & Hon. Archivist of St. Mary’s:
Julian Watson.
e-mail: parochial.churchcouncil@btinternet.com