Churchyard Row runs along the west side of St Mary’s Churchyard.
Newington was previously part of rural Surrey within the manor of Walworth during the medieval period. In the Domesday Book, this area is listed as belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and its rents and tithes provided clothing for the monks at Christ Church Canterbury. A church, referred to as "St Mary, Newington," is mentioned, and its site was located where the leisure centre stands today, adjacent to the Tabernacle. The name of the church, St Mary’s, Newington, was first recorded in 1222.
St Mary’s Church underwent multiple reconstructions over the centuries. It was rebuilt in 1720 and then completely replaced in 1790, following a design by Francis Hurlbatt. Around a hundred years later, it was again demolished, and its successor on Kennington Park Road was completed in 1876. Tragically, this newer church was destroyed during enemy bombings in 1940. However, the remains of the church tower and an arch were incorporated into the church’s replacement, which was constructed in 1958.
The open space surrounding the leisure centre continues to be known as St Mary’s Churchyard, and the narrow pedestrian walk at its southern end is called Churchyard Row.
1 Churchyard Row was once known as the Rowton House, serving as a Victorian working men’s hostel. It was later transformed into the London Park Hotel. Situated next to St Mary Newington gardens, the building held historical significance in the area.
Regrettably, the building was demolished in late 2007 to make way for the proposed construction of 360-London.
