St Mary’s churchyard is one of the most extensive in North London. By the east wall of the church is buried Herbert Chapman, one of Arsenal’s most acclaimed managers and a sidesman at St Mary’s. The massive tomb of Philip Rundell, just a few paces north of Chapman, is thought to have been Bram Stoker’s inspiration for ‘Kingstead Churchyard’ in his novel Dracula.
The Greyhound pub was originally Church House, and was used, until 1878, for vestry meetings. The pub, which is still owned by a trust of St Mary’s, has the church’s Commandments boards hanging in one of the bars!