The Church of St. Paul’s in Covent Garden 5879

The Church of St. Paul’s in Covent Garden ‘As it appeared on Fire, at eight O’Clock, on Thursday Evening 17th Septr 1795’.

Engraving with period colour ‘published 5th Novr. 1795 by Laurie & Whittle……..’

Provenance: The Parker Gallery and within their framing. Folded at the centre.

o.s: 23 in x 18 in
mount opening 15.5 in x 10.5 in

St. Paul’s Church is located in Bedford Street, Covent Garden and was built by Inigo Jones on the instruction of the 4th Earl of Bedford, commissioned in 1631. The architect was instructed to build a simple church, “not much better than a barn”. The architect promised the Earl the handsomest barn in England”.

In 1789 the church underwent a programme of major restoration under the direction of Thomas Hardwick. Six years later the church was burnt out in the fire illustrated in the present engraving; apparently started by workmen on the roof. The pulpit, the work of Grinling Gibbons was saved along with the parish records.