While the exact origins of the St. Pancras Old Church are unknown, it is believed to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England. According to information panels situated around the church, St. Pancras was possibly built sometime in the early 4th century, originally serving as a public worship and meeting place for the Romans. Local historian Charles Lee believes that the site was eventually converted into a center for Christian worship shortly after the restoration of religious freedom in 313 and that the church was named for Pancras, who had just been martyred at the time.
Reconstruction of St. Pancras in the 19th century did reveal Roman tiles in the tower’s foundation as well as an altar stone dated to 625 CE. The church was restored a few more times and is currently still in operation as part of the Old St Pancras Team Ministry.
