Church Of St Paul

SP 0687 SW, 28/16; SP 0687 SE 29/36

ST PAUL'S SQUARE, Hockley B3, Church of St Paul

25.04.52

GV

I

1776-79 by Roger Eykyn of Wolverhampton, master joiner, nurseryman, surveyor and architect. A much simplified version St Martin's-in-the-Fields, without a portico. Eykyn's intended steeple was never completed above the square tower base and the existing belfry and spire are an addition by Frances Goodwin of 1822-23. Eykyn's original design was apparently the subject of amendments by Samuel Wyatt on consultation with the Trustees.

Rectangular plan with five bay sides, the shallow chancel simply extending the nave and the west end distinguished by the slight recession of the porch/vestries flanking the tower, the central entrance bay of the west front being slightly advanced in turn with a modest pediment in front of the stepped plinth of the tower. Ashlar walls with rusticated quoins, bracket course and blocking course. Hipped slate roof. Two tiers of windows to sides, tall and round-arched to galleries, squat and segmental-arched below, similar fenestration to west front, all in Gibbs surrounds. Venetian east window. Gibbs surrounds to west door, with cornice on consoles, and to north and south porch/vesting doors with pediments.

INTERIOR has galleries on three sides supported on square piers from which rise Ionic columns capped by sections of entablature bearing the cross vaulting of the aisles and the elliptical band vault of the nave. The organ has been removed from the west gallery to the east bay of the north gallery. In 1785 Francis Eginton was commissioned to paint the east window showing three scenes from the life of St Paul after Benjamin West, completed in 1791. The architectural framework of the window with inner Ionic columns and flanking Ionic pilasters, delicate plasterwork above with oval panels and crowning pediment, may be due to Samuel Wyatt who was once again consulted by the Trustees on the design. Virtually all the fittings are late C18, retaining box pews, those at the back of the nave set in coved recesses. Several wall tablets by Williams Hollins. The south-east aisle window is designed as a memorial to William Hollins, sculptor and architect, and his family, with delicately sculpted marble reveals and a fine bust of William on the right hand side, all executed in 1843 by his son Peter Hollins. Francis Goodwin's steeple of 1822-23, raised on the base of Eykyn's tower, is a Grecian design: an irregular octagonal belfry with an Ionic column recessed to each short side supporting the entablature with balustraded parapet, octagonal lantern and slender stone spire of same form rising above with classical decoration applied as if to a normal wall, carved finial. The church stands in a spacious churchyard/square thought not orientated on a main axis.

Listing NGR: SP0648987475