The Parish of St.
Paul's extends from Holborn tube station in the north of the Parish to
near Embankment tube station in the south west of the Parish.
HISTORY
In 1631 Inigo Jones was commissioned by the Earl
of Bedford to design a square, surrounded by mansions, a chapel
and four streets.
Work on the church began in 1631 with the portico
facing eastwards on to the Piazza. The church was completed in 1633,
at a cost of £4000 and was consecrated in 1638. In 1645 Covent
Garden was made a separate parish and the church was dedicated to
St Paul.
The first known victim of the Great Plague, Margaret
Ponteous, was buried in the churchyard on 12th April 1665. In 1788
Thomas Harwick began a major restoration. In 1795 there was a terrible
fire. The Parish records were saved, as was the pulpit, the work
of Grinling Gibbons or one of his pupils.
THE CHURCH AND
THE THEATRE
St Paul's is widely known as the Actors' Church.
The connection with the theatre began as early as 1663 with the
establishment of the the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and was further
assured in 1723 with the opening of Covent Garden Theatre - now
The Royal Opera
House.
On 9th May 1662, Samuel Pepys noted in his diary the first "Italian
puppet play" under the portico - the start of "Punch &
Judy" a fact commemorated by the annual MayFayre service in
May.
The Painter JMW Turner and WS Gilbert of Gilbert & Sullivan
fame, were baptised at St Paul's. Among those buried at St Paul's
are Samuel Butler, Ginling Gibbons and Thomas Arne (the composer
of "Rule Britannia") Memorials in the church are dedicated
to many famous personalities of the 20th century, including Charlie
Chaplin, Noel Coward, Gracie Fields and Ivor Novello. The ashes
of Ellen Terry and Dame Edith Evans rest in St Paul's.
George Bernard Shaw based the opening scene of Pygmalion - the play
that formed the basis for "My Fair Lady" - under the portico.
The award winning garden around the church provides a haven of tranquility
in the busy area and is maintained entirely at the cost of the church.
THE
PARISH BOUNDARY
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The church is a focal point in Covent Garden and maintains strong
community links with business, charities, events and other community
related activities. The church is also known as the Actors' Church
because of our long tradition of serving the theatre community.
To enlarge the view
The church is a focal point in Covent Garden and maintains strong
community links with business, charities, events and other community
related activities. The church is also known as the Actors' Church
because of our long tradition of serving the theatre community.