All Souls Church - Langham Place, London, UK
N 51° 31.076 W 000° 08.594
30U E 698199 N 5711292
The church is located beyond the northern end of Regent Street in Langham Place - close to the BBC. The impressive bell tower houses three bells.
Waymark Code: WMG4EZ
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/11/2013
Views: 6
The bell tower, of All
Soul's church, houses three bells. The Loves Guide website [visit link]
tells us:
Details of the bells:
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Note |
Cast |
Founder |
1 |
3½ cwt
approx. |
26" |
F |
1824 |
Thomas
Mears II |
2 |
6 cwt
approx. |
30½" |
D |
1824 |
Thomas
Mears II |
3 |
9 cwt
approx. |
38" |
A |
1824 |
Thomas
Mears II |
History:
1822-4 |
Church built (Commissioners' Church of the 1st
Parliamentary Grant) at a cost of £19,612. John Nash was the architect and
Robert Streather was the builder. This was the last surviving of John
Nash's churches.
|
1824 |
3 bells were cast by Thomas Mears II and hung in
the tower.
|
1940 |
A landmine explosion caused severe roof
damage.
|
The church is Grade I listed and the entry at the English
Heritage website [visit
link] tells us:
"Church. 1822-24 by John Nash, restored after war
damage. Bath stone; hipped slate roof to church proper. Rectangular body with
the south west end circular portico, tower and peristyle encircled spire as the
distinguishing feature of this neoclassical hybrid design, ingeniously both
closing the vista and acting as the pivotal focus for the change in direction of
Nash's Via Triumphalis between Langham Place and Portland Place. The circular
portico raised on a flight of steps has giant Ionic columns carrying entablature
and balustraded parapet; the circular tower with architraved and corniced
entrance at its foot rises above the portico to the open Corinthian columned
peristyle screening the base of the 12-sided stone spire. The body of the church
(extending off the side lines to the north east) is in plain ashlar on 2 storeys
with 6-window sides, square headed in lower register and semicircular arched
above; plinth, plat band and sill band, crowning cornice and blocking course.
Interior has gallery on chamfered piers,above which rise Corinthian columns
carrying flat ceiling with enriched cove; circular vestibule in base of tower.
Copy of bust of Nash by Behnes in portico."