Apse at St George

Had a lunchtime wander down to St George's in the East in Shadwell today and as the door was open, walked in and had a look around.

From the outside, it's a grand old church. Designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor and built between 1714-1729. (Hawksmoor built a number of famous churches and worked with Wren on St Pauls amongst other projects).

Here's some facts from a leaflet I picked up:

- it cost the grand total of £18,557 3s 3d to build!
- In 1859 doors and windows were reinforced as the church was the centre of ritualism riots (whatever that is) and the rector was bound over to keep the peace
- In May 1941 all but the external walls were destroyed by German bombing
- In 1964 a modest (typical 1960s functional) church was rebuilt inside the baroque walls of the original church
- ER Braithwaite (who worte "To Sir With Love") taught here
- In 1980 the church featured in the gangster film The Long Good Friday, starring Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren, in which Harold Shand's Rolls Royce is blown up while his mother attends a service.

I have to say, the inside is a disappointment compared to the grand outer shell although the apse area at the back was nice.

Uploading during my lunch break and just heard my Dad is going home today. Not sure if it's too early as I feel he should have more re-hab but they (the Docs) are sure he is fine... Hmmm.... Glad he's going home, but just a bit concerned it's too early...

[Nicole]

Wow - what an awesome building!

[Karen Hofmann]

Wow, gorgeous shot! Love the composition too. Love the old churches. Thanks for the history as well, always nice to know about the photo.

Glad your dad is going home. I understand the worry though. Only time will tell if it was too soon.

[Vikdaddy]

Glad to hear your dad's coming home

[andy c]

Thanks guys, yeah, old churches are great to wander around aren't they and Vik, really could have done with a wide angle lens again today...

[Vikdaddy]

You should get one - you won't regret it with your recent architecture and landscape shots! Get one off eBay for about £450. Expensive but a great investment...

[Zachary Hanson]

Awesome architecture, and a great shot! A wide angle lens sure would be a cool thing for you to own!

Understandable about your father. I guess you just gotta trust the good doctors sometimes, though. I'm sure he's gonna do great! :-)

Also, thanks for your comment on my "shot" yesterday! :-)

[Joe Ciras]

Great shot and like the symmetry of the windows and roof. Great to hear your dad is coming home whether it is to early or not.

[HC]

Love old churches! This is beautiful! And I am glad your dad is going home....hope all goes well for him :)

[Tracy Watkins]

Love this, great shot!

[Tanya]

Great crop. I love old church buildings, there's so much to look at...and photograph!

[Lori Rompolski]

very nice

[Elizabeth Hanna]

Like that.... looks like a very bright interior.

[HayleyB]

love this

[Dalia ElMaghraby]

This is amazing!

[Mrs. Smith]

Beautiful scene. I understand your concern with your dad. Just keep a watch on him.

[Darrell Soper]

Cool shot. You were lucky to be able to take photos in the church as some are against it, St Paul's for example ( I only got about 5 there with the flash turned off and watching out for men in coats!)

[Craigy P]

Nice, I miss the lack of history over here and enjoy seeing the shots I see of it on 365

[Eleanor Muller]

Really like the symmetry.

[FaerieMoon]

This is gorgeous! Really glad to read your dad gets to go home too (: I'll bet that will be a boost to him, hospitals are no fun.

[Slava]

So beauitful!