St Paul's Church (Portland Chapel) facts for kids
St Paul's Church, also known for many years as the Portland Chapel, was an important building in London. It was built a long time ago, in the 1700s. This church stood on land that used to be a big water storage area called the Marylebone Basin reservoir.
Today, you won't find the church there. Instead, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has its offices on that spot. This building is called Brock House. It was originally known as the Philharmonic Hall.
Building a New Landmark
The church building itself was constructed around 1766, or perhaps between 1775 and 1776. It was made of brick and had a tall stone steeple reaching towards the sky. The church was officially opened for services in 1831.
A famous architect named Stiff Leadbetter designed the church. He worked for the Portland Estates, which owned a lot of land in that area.
From Church to Concert Hall
Much later, in 1907 or 1908, the church building was taken down. A new and exciting building was put up in its place: the Philharmonic Hall. This new hall was built to replace another famous venue, St James's Hall in Regent Street, which had been demolished a few years earlier in 1905. The Philharmonic Hall became a popular place for music and events before it became part of the BBC's offices.
