The last of the great eighteenth-century churches I passed last night was St. George’s, Hanover Square, another of the Commissioners’ Churches, designed by John James, who was himself one of the two surveyors to the Commission, with Hawksmoor, as well as joint Clerk of Works at Greenwich. He’s always regarded as a bit dull as an architect, but I don’t think that either the massing or the detailing of St. George’s is dull:-
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
Fantastic photos.
I’m living at St George’s Fields now – the site of the church’s burial ground until it closed for burials in 1860.
In 1970 they put up about 6 blocks of flats on it – designed by an outfit called Utopia 5. Initially it was a housing association development.
How the Church Commissioners and local council were allowed to do it I have no idea – there was a big row at the time. The bodies were removed to a site in Surrey. Among a number of distinguished remains were those of Laurence Sterne!
Well, it sounds like a very good place to live. I read that they kept a few tombstones ornamentally. Charles
Far from dull. One of the best 18th century churches in London in my opinion. The capitals are magnificent – thank you. Close-up photographs are wonderful in order to appreciate them
Yes, they do, around the edges of the extensive walls. I’m told some of the plane trees are among the oldest in London. The gardens are beautifully maintained.
Sorry Charles, to use your blog as a contact site but I too, now live in St George’s Fields – part time – as also have Hampshire home – and am loving it.
A London oasis that we first saw at an Open Gardens weekend 10 years ago & have never forgotten so a joy to be able to rent here.
Would love to contact Dick Humphreys, who if the right Dick Humphreys, has written on Ezra Pound & Wyndham Lewis?
My interest is Alvin Langdon Coburn & I wrote a book recently with Mapfre in Madrid. Of course, Coburn spent time with Lewis & Pound so interested in sharing information.
St George’s Fields is, as Dick Humphreys says, a very amazing & tranquil place. 5 mins walk from the hells of Oxford St & Edgware Road but the quietest pace I have ever lived, apart from the sirens & the bells from Tyburn convent which are actually very soothing once you get used to them.