St. Paul's Covent Garden: Encyclopedia II - St. Paul's Covent Garden - History

St. Paul's Covent Garden - History

In 1631 Inigo Jones was commissioned by William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford to design a church. Work on the church began that year and was completed in 1633, at a cost of £4000, with it becoming 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 Black Death in England, Margaret Ponteous, was buried in the churchyard on 12 April 1665. In 1788 Thomas Harwick began a major restoration. However, in 1795 there was a terrible fire. Although much was destroyed, the parish records were saved, as was the pulpit, the work of Grinling Gibbons.

St Paul's connection with the theatre began as early as 1663 with the establishment of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and was further assured in 1723 with the opening of Covent Garden Theatre, now the Royal Opera House.

On 9 May 1662, Samuel Pepys noted in his diary the first "Italian puppet play" under the portico - the first recorded performance of "Punch and Judy", a fact commemorated by the annual MayFayre service in May.

The artist J. M. W. Turner, and W. S. Gilbert (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame), were both baptised at St Paul's. Among those buried at St Paul's are Samuel Butler, Grinling Gibbons and Thomas Arne (composer of "Rule Britannia"). The ashes of Ellen Terry and Dame Edith Evans rest in St Paul's. 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 Avenue of Stars passes outside the church and commemorates many notable figures and groups from the entertainment industry.

George Bernard Shaw based the opening scene of Pygmalion - the play that formed the basis for "My Fair Lady" - under the portico.

The church is surrounded by an award-winning garden, providing an area of tranquility within busy central London.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki