Covent Garden

St Pauls Church Covent Garden

West Side Covent Garden Piazza
LONDON

This beautiful Church was designed by the architect Inigo Jones in the time of King Charles 1st (the one who got his head chopped off by Cromwell). The church was built in 1633 on the west side of the Covent Garden piazza and is over 350 years old. It is in the shape of a cube and the exterior is very plain in the then fashionable classical style, with red brick and dressed portland stone porticos and cornices. 

Above: St Pauls Church - the East Portico

The interior is full of light which fills the huge open space - no stained glass windows here to spoil the sunlight - and lovely plasterwork again in the classical style.

The church is famous at "The Actors' Church " - many people from the world of entertainment have been buried here because of its proximity to Theatreland, and there are plaques around the Church to famous people in the theatre, ballet, music and even TV and modern media.  It hosts several concerts every month and welcomes worshippers from around the world.

Nearest Tube Stations: Covent Garden and Leicester Square  

Back to Outstanding Buildings