St George's Church, Bloomsbury

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W. J. Loftie, adding to the incomplete work of Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of London with this look at St George's Church, Bloomsbury:

Bloomsbury Market Strype describes as "a long place with two market-houses, the one for flesh and the other for fish, but of small account by reason the market is of so little use and so ill served with provisions, insomuch that the inhabitants deal elsewhere."

In Parton's time it was still extant, "exhibiting little of that bustle and business which distinguishes similar establishments."

Though it was cleared away in 1847, its site is marked by Market Street, which with Silver and Bloomsbury Streets forms a cross.

Southampton Row is a very long street, extending from Russell Square to High Holborn. It includes what was formerly King Street and Upper King Street, which together reached from High Holborn to Bloomsbury Place. Gray, the poet, lodged in this Row in 1759.

The Church of St. George is in Hart Street.

St. George's parish was formed from St. Giles's on account of the great increase of buildings in this district.

In 1710 the proposal for a new church was first mooted, and in 1724 the parishes were officially separated.

The church stands on a piece of ground formerly known as Plough Yard.

It is the work of Hawkesmoor, Wren's pupil, and was consecrated in 1730.

It cannot be better described than in the words of Noorthouck: "This is an irregular and oddly constructed church; the portico stands on the south side, of the Corinthian order, and makes a good figure in the street, but has no affinity to the church, which is very heavy, and would be better suited with a Tuscan portico.

The steeple at the west is a very extraordinary structure; on a round pedestal at the top of a pyramid is placed a colossal statue of the late King (George I), and at the corners near the base are alternately placed the lion and unicorn, the British supporters, with festoons between. These animals, being very large, are injudiciously placed over columns very small, which make them appear monsters."

The lions and unicorns have now been removed. This steeple has been described by Horace Walpole as a masterpiece of absurdity.

Within, the walls rise right up to the roof with no break, and give an impression of great spaciousness. There is a small chapel on either side, that on the east, of an apselike shape, being used as a baptistery.

The western one contains a ponderous monument erected in memory of one of their officials by the East India Company.

There are other monuments in the church, but none of any general interest. The Communion-table is enclosed by a wooden canopy with fluted columns, said to be of Italian origin, and to have been brought from old Montague House.

Next: Bloomsbury: Great Russell Street