[1] James Peller Malcolm called Wren's church "so plain as to be indescribable", noting only the Corinthian reredos, "the usual tablets" and the lack of an organ.

[3] There was a Portland stone tower, about 100 feet high, topped with a perforated parapet, with vases at its angles, and a spire—described by James Elmes as "remarkably picturesque"—with clock, weather-vane and cross.

[1] In 1789, Thomas Townsend left a house and funds to the Merchant Taylors Company to endow a weekly lecture and a clerical post at the church.

[11] Washington Irving gave a long description of the church in The Sketch Book (published in 1819), in the chapter entitled "The Boar's Head Tavern, Eastcheap".

In searching for any remnants of Shakespeare's Falstaff, Irving hears about a picture of the original tavern in St Michael's Church, but to no avail.