Evidence for the early history of the church is scanty.
It is considered by some to have existed since AD 314, although there is no archaeological or documentary evidence to support this.
 The claim is discussed below under Legendary origins.


Phil Emery and Pat Miller discuss the issue in 'Archaeological findings at the site of the St Pancras Burial Ground and its vicinity'.

The 1847 reconstruction of the medieval church revealed Roman tiles in the fabric of its tower and an inscribed altar stone dated to  AD 625, which might suggest an early 7th-century foundation.
The original cemetery around the church appears to have been sub-circular like many late Saxon cemeteries.

Remnants of medieval features and references in the Domesday Book suggest it pre-dates the Norman Conquest.


According to a Victorian architect, Robert Lewis Roumieu, involved in the works: 
 The old church was principally late Tudor.
When it was pulled down to be rebuilt, several small Norman columns, pilaster piers and other remains of a Norman edifice were found among the materials used in the wall, leaving no doubt but that the original church had been a Norman structure which had been at some time completely rebuilt and part used as building material in the reconstruction.

After the Reformation the isolation and decay of the church made it a tempting resort for Catholics: indeed, it was said that the last bell which tolled for the Mass in England was at St Pancras.
St Pancras (and to a lesser degree Paddington Church) were the only places in London where Roman Catholics were permitted to be buried Among the several Catholics buried in the churchyard was Johann Christian Bach, youngest son of Johann Sebastian.
His name was misspelled in the burial register as John Cristian Back.
Evidence for the early history of the church is scanty. It is considered by some to have existed since AD 314, although there is no archaeological or documentary evidence to support this.  The claim is discussed below under Legendary origins.

Phil Emery and Pat Miller discuss the issue in 'Archaeological findings at the site of the St Pancras Burial Ground and its vicinity'. 
The 1847 reconstruction of the medieval church revealed Roman tiles in the fabric of its tower and an inscribed altar stone dated to  AD 625, which might suggest an early 7th-century foundation. The original cemetery around the church appears to have been sub-circular like many late Saxon cemeteries.
Remnants of medieval features and references in the Domesday Book suggest it pre-dates the Norman Conquest. 

According to a Victorian architect, Robert Lewis Roumieu, involved in the works: 
 The old church was principally late Tudor. When it was pulled down to be rebuilt, several small Norman columns, pilaster piers and other remains of a Norman edifice were found among the materials used in the wall, leaving no doubt but that the original church had been a Norman structure which had been at some time completely rebuilt and part used as building material in the reconstruction.
After the Reformation the isolation and decay of the church made it a tempting resort for Catholics: indeed, it was said that the last bell which tolled for the Mass in England was at St Pancras. St Pancras (and to a lesser degree Paddington Church) were the only places in London where Roman Catholics were permitted to be buried Among the several Catholics buried in the churchyard was Johann Christian Bach, youngest son of Johann Sebastian. His name was misspelled in the burial register as John Cristian Back.
St Pancras Old Church