St Sepulchre-without-Newgate is a historic church in Holborn, London, and the name means it stood just outside the old City wall near Newgate. It is the largest church in the City of London and is also known as the National Musicians’ Church.
 
The site has very old origins, with a church there by the medieval period, and the current building dates largely from around 1450. It was badly damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the interior was rebuilt and altered many times afterward.
 
The peculiar name “without-Newgate” part refers to its position outside Newgate, the former city gate and prison area. That’s why the church is often associated with the Old Bailey and the old edge of the City of London.
 
Interesting facts....
Its association with the prison can be seen inside. It has a famous execution bell inside the church, displayed in a glass case on a pillar near the altar. It is tied to the old tradition of ringing the bell for prisoners in Newgate before execution.