St. Mary's Church, Southampton, is the largest church in the city of Southampton, England, and can trace its origins to the first Saxon settlements of the 7th century. In 1917, the sound of the church bells inspired the writing of the song, "The Bells of St. Mary's", later sung by Bing Crosby in the film of the same name.LocationThe church stands at the southern end of St. Mary Street, on the east side at the corner of Chapel Road, with the buildings of Southampton City College to the north and east, in a quiet oasis of green surrounded by large trees which from a distance hide all but the spire.HistoryThe present church is the sixth on the site of the Saxon town of Hamwic (Hamtun).First churchThe first church at Hamwic is thought to have been built around AD 634 when Saint Birinus arrived at the port on his mission to re-convert England to its former Christian faith. About this time, the first small church of St. Mary was built on the present site. During the Viking raids of 994, Olaf I of Norway is believed to have worshipped at the church while camped at Woolston prior to his return to Norway.The first recorded priest and holder of the benefice was named as Richerius (1086). In the Domesday Book, it is stated that the church is "held by Richerius thd(sic) Clerk, with two other churches near Southampton, dependent on it as the mother-church, and Richerius owns in right of his benefice all the tithes of the town of Southampton and also of Kingsland".