The first stone of St. Paul’s was laid November 6th, 1840, in presence of nearly 500 persons, by George Drummond, Esq., of Wilton Crescent. The want of Church accommodation had been greatly felt, and in this year measures were taken to realise that want. Public subscriptions were commenced, and a large sum subscribed; {92} but after the work had for some time been progressed with, it was stopped from lack of resources; this difficulty was, however, surmounted, and on June 30th, 1843, the edifice was consecrated by Dr. Blomfield, Bishop of London, who preached on the occasion from the 4th chapter of St. John’s Gospel, verse 14. The site on which it stands was formerly an exercising ground belonging to the foot-barrack, and was given by the Marquis of Westminster (who likewise contributed £500 towards the organ), the lease being purchased of the late Mr. Phillips. The Church is one of the most handsome of modern architecture in London, and a great credit to its designer Mr. T. Cundy. Its style is that known as Early Perpendicular; it is 106 feet in length, by 59 feet 6 inches in breadth; the height is nearly 50 feet. It consists of a nave and two aisles, with a chancel at the east end on an ascent of four steps; around the Church, along three of its sides, galleries are placed; in the west gallery is the organ, and on this side are also galleries above for the school children. At the west end is a lofty and very handsome tower, having an arch open on three sides at its base to form the porch, above which it is carried to the height of 121 feet, in two storeys, each containing a large and beautiful window, sides and front. It terminates with an embattled parapet of open-work, and eight crocketted pinnacles, four of which rise from the angles. The tower contains a clock by Dent, and three bells by Meares; the tenor weighs 22 cwt. 11 lbs., second 8 cwt, the small one 6 cwt. 4 lbs. [Picture: St. Paul’s Church] The chancel forms a very handsome termination to the interior; the reading-desk and pulpit respectively occupy places at the north and south corners of its entrance, while in advance, occupying a central position, is the lectern, presented by the Rev. W. Bennett. In the south side of the chancel are three _sedillæ_; over the Communion table are three compartments of stonework, on which are inscribed the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Creed; above the stonework it terminates in a _rere-dos_, over which is the great window of stained glass by Wailes, pourtraying the Prophets and the Twelve Apostles. This window and ornamental stonework cost about £1,000.