St George's, Bloomsbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George's, Bloomsbury |
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| Parish Church of Saint George in Bloomsbury | |
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| Location | Bloomsbury Way, Bloomsbury, London WC1A 2SA |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1730 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Architect(s) | Nicholas Hawksmoor |
| Style | Classical |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | London |
St George's, Bloomsbury is a famous parish church located in Bloomsbury, London. A parish church serves a specific local area. This beautiful building was designed by a well-known architect named Nicholas Hawksmoor. It was officially opened in 1730. Today, the church's lower level, called the crypt, is home to the Museum of Comedy.
Contents
History of St George's Church
Why Was the Church Built?
In the early 1700s, London was growing very fast. The area of Bloomsbury became much bigger. People realized that this growing area needed its own church. So, in 1711, a special group called the Commissioners for the Fifty New Churches decided to build new churches.
They chose Nicholas Hawksmoor to design the church for Bloomsbury. Hawksmoor was a talented architect who had worked with Sir Christopher Wren. He started designing St George's in 1716, and it was finished in 1731. This was the last of six churches Hawksmoor designed in London.
Important Events at the Church
St George's Church has seen many important events over the years.
- In 1824, the famous writer Anthony Trollope was baptized here.
- In 1853, F. B. Chatterton, a manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, got married at the church.
- Richard Meux Benson, who started the first Anglican religious order for men, was also baptized here.
- In 1913, a funeral service was held for Emily Davison. She was a suffragette who died fighting for women's right to vote.
- In 1937, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia attended a special service here.
Restoring the Church
From 2006, the church underwent major repair work. The World Monuments Fund helped with this important project. During this time, the church was closed to visitors. However, the church community still held services nearby.
The building fully reopened in October 2006. It now includes a new exhibit about the church, Hawksmoor, and Bloomsbury. This exhibit is located in the church's undercroft, which is a room below ground level.
Architecture and Design
Choosing the Location
The land for the church was bought for £1,000. This was a lot of money back then! The plot of land was narrow and rectangular. It was also surrounded by other buildings.
The church was built on a north-south line. This was unusual because churches were usually built east-west. But the location was good because it was in a busy area. It was also on a main street, which made it easy to reach.
Nicholas Hawksmoor was in charge of finding the land. He was one of the main surveyors for the new churches. He worked on these projects until he passed away in 1736. St George's Bloomsbury was the last of the six churches he designed.
Unique Features of the Church
The church's tower is very special. It has steps that remind people of the ancient Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. At the very top of the tower, there is a statue of King George I. He is dressed like a Roman emperor.
The tower also features statues of fighting lions and unicorns. These statues represent the end of the First Jacobite Rising. This was a time when people tried to put a different king on the throne. The front entrance, called the portico, looks like the Temple of Bacchus in Lebanon.
The church's unique tower has appeared in art and literature:
- It is shown in William Hogarth's famous picture "Gin Lane" (1751).
- It also appears in the children's book Gaspard's Foxtrot (2021) by James Mayhew.
- Charles Dickens used St George's as a setting in his book Sketches by Boz.
A funny rhyme was written about the statue of King George I:
When Henry VIII left the Pope in the lurch,
The Protestants made him the head of the church,
But George's good subjects, the Bloomsbury people
Instead of the church, made him head of the steeple.
St George's Church is considered a very important historical building. It was given a Grade I listed building status in 1951. This means it is protected and kept in good condition.
Visiting St George's
Opening Times and Services
The church holds services on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at 1:10 pm. There is also a service on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am.
Visitors can usually explore the church from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm every day.
Activities and Community Events
St George's offers many educational programs. They have workshops and lectures for schools, families, and adults. The church also hosts various community events. These include flower festivals, dance classes, and choir practices.
Location of the Church
St George's Bloomsbury is located on Bloomsbury Way. It is right next to the Bloomsbury Thistle Hotel.
A Special Hymn
A hymn is a religious song. A special hymn is sung on St George's Day at the church. It was written by Ursula Roberts, whose husband was the rector (a church leader) at the time. The hymn begins:
A maid in fetters wailing
Her sore and sorry plight
A foul and slimy dragon
A brave and glorious knight!
(chorus) Let lusty voices sing!
"St George for Merry England"
Triumphant echoes ring.
Museum of Comedy
The crypt is the underground part of the church. In the 1990s, it was used as an art gallery.
Since April 2014, the crypt has been home to the Museum of Comedy. This museum explores the history of British comedy. It features many interesting items, such as:
- Photos and posters
- Props and costumes from shows
- Scripts, films, and videos of comedians
The museum also has a performance space with 100 seats. Here, visitors can watch comedy shows.
Images for kids
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Spiral staircase inside the church
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Rear of the church
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Plaque to Paul Mellon, anglophile, in the church
