St Paul's Church, George Street, Nottingham Explained

St. Paul's Church, George Street, Nottingham
Coordinates:52.9542°N -1.145°W
Country:England
Denomination:Church of England
Churchmanship:Broad Church
Dedication:St. Paul
Architect:William Wilkins
Style:Greek Revival architecture
Completed Date:1822
Construction Cost:£17,000
Closed Date:1924
Capacity:1,600
Length:104feet
Width:62feet
Height:34feet
Parish:Nottingham
Diocese:Diocese of Southwell
Province:York

St. Paul's Church, George Street, was a Church of England church built as a chapel of ease to St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. It was opened in 1822 and closed in 1924.

Background

It was consecrated by Edward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt the Archbishop of York on 24 October 1822, and the patron of the living was Charles Pierrepont, 2nd Earl Manvers. The architect was William Wilkins, the brother of the Vicar of St. Mary's, Revd. George Wilkins, and the cost was £14,026[1] (equivalent to £ in).

It was a Commissioners' church. Revd. Wilkins formally applied for a grant in November 1818, but it was not until September 1821 that the money was approved and construction work started.

It was 104feet, 62feet and 34feet, with accommodation for 1853 worshippers. It had a fine Doric portico with a bell turret over it.[2] The roof of the church was supported by 14 Corinthian columns and pilasters at the angles.

At the time of the building of this 'St. Paul's Chapel of Ease', as it was then called, public opinion was running high against King George IV for he had refused to allow his wife Caroline to be crowned, notwithstanding this, the King's Coronation was celebrated in Nottingham by the firing of several volleys in the Market Place by the 7th Dragoon Guards, and the Yeomanry Cavalry. The Mayor then invited the officers to join him in drinking his Majesty's health and afterwards the foundation stone was laid by the Revd. George Wilkins, Vicar of St. Mary's Church.[3]

Originally opened as a Chapel of Ease, it became an independent parish in 1838.

Incumbents

Organ

The church organ was built by Bevington and Sons of London in 1846 for a cost of £310 (equivalent to £ in).

Organists

Closure

With the population of Nottingham moving out into the suburbs at during the early part of the 20th century, the church became redundant and was closed in 1924. The proceeds from the sale of the site were given by the Diocese of Southwell to the construction of the new building at St. Cyprian's Church, Sneinton.

Notes and References

  1. History and antiquities of Nottingham. James Orange. 1840
  2. Old and New Nottingham. William Howie Wylie. 1853
  3. 'Nottingham Past and Present', 1926.
  4. News: . Diocese of Lincoln. Preferments and Appointments . Nottingham Journal . England . 27 June 1868 . 28 November 2020 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  5. News: . Diocese of Lincoln. Preferments and Appointments . Nottinghamshire Guardian . England . 30 July 1880 . 28 November 2020 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  6. News: . Presentation to the Rev. Alfred Whymper . Nottinghamshire Guardian . England . 31 October 1896 . 28 November 2020 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  7. News: . Items of Local Interest . Nottingham Evening Post . England . 5 April 1906 . 28 November 2020 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  8. News: . New Nottingham Vicar . Nottingham Journal . England . 2 November 1918 . 28 November 2020 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  9. News: . Presentation to an Organist . Nottinghamshire Guardian . England . 14 February 1868 . 28 November 2020 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  10. News: . St Paul’s . Nottinghamshire Guardian . England . 6 April 1883 . 28 November 2020 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .