St George's Hanover Square
2a Mill Street, London W1

St George's Hanover Square provides tranquility from the hustle and bustle of the West End. 

Built by John James in 1721 - 25, St George's was commissioned by parliament under the Fifty New Churches Act of 1711.  Its hexagonal Corinthian portico, one of the first for a London church, dominates St George's Street.  Straddling the pavement, the portico is surmounted by a tower and under the portico are two statues of dogs brought here in 1940 from a bombed shop in Conduit Street.  The pair of obelisks were lamp standards. 

The Classical interior has four bays with galleries supported on square piers carrying columns with gilded capitals, and above is a segmental ceiling.  The east end is behind a wide arch with a reredos by William Kent, featuring a painting of the Last Supper. 

The Flemish stained glass in the east window and gallery dates from about 1525, and was originally made for a church in Antwerp by Arnold of Nijmegen, and later was in a church at Malines.  In 1840 the stained glass was adapted for St George's by Thomas Willement.  The pulpit, with wrought-iron stairs, is original but its canopy was removed in 1871.  The choir and the black and white marble floor were created by Sir Arthur Blomfield, whose nephew, Reginald Blomfield, introduced the screens north and south of the choir in 1926. 

One of the best features of St George's is its organ in the west gallery, which is housed in a five-towered case. It was built by Gerard Smith in 1725 and rebuilt by Harrison & Harrison in 1972.  George Frederick Handel, who lived nearby in Brook Street, was a parishioner of St George's from 1724 - 59.   The German composer was asked about the suitability of the organ and tested candidates for the office of organist, he also played here on a regular basis.  Organ recitals are still held at St George's, usually on Thursdays. 

This fashionable church is a favourite venue for society weddings.  Among those married at St George's were the Duke of Sussex, 6th son of George III, Benjamin Disraeli, Theodore Roosevelt, H H Asquith and George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)      

Admission free