The History and Antiquities of London, Westminster, Southwark, and Parts Adjacent, vol. 4
Allen, Thomas
1827
St. Mark's Chapel.
This chapel is situated on the east side of ; the west front is the only portion open to public observation; the south aide abuts on a small court-yard, and may be seen by passing through the chapel; the other portions are closely built against. The plan gives a parallelogram, with a portico and lobbies of considerable depth at the west end, and a small chancel at the east. The west front consists of a capacious portico, composed of fluted columns of the Athenian Ionic order, and the same number of antae, surmounted by a rich entablature. From the roof rises a square tower, the angles canted off and guarded with antae, and the whole covered with a low dome, crowned with a cross. | |
The entrance to the church from the portico, is by a splendid doorway, covered with a cornice resting on consoles; it leads into a lobby, which is divided into aisles by square insulated ante, surmounted by architraves and cornices, on which the ceiling rests; it is lighted from above. The body of the chapel has | |
361 | series of windows on each side, the lower are slightly arched, the upper round headed; the arches connected internally by a continued impost cornice, and the heads bounded by moulded architraves; on the north side a doorway is substituted for the window from the west in the lower tier; the east end is recessed in the centre, and forms a small chancel. The ceiling is horizontal; it consists of a large oblong square pannel in the centre, bounded by a bordering of square pannels; the chancel is divided by cornices into compartments. The altar-screen is in imitation of marble; it is divided into compartments by antae, surmounted by an entablature enriched with honeysuckles and mouldings in gold; above the cornice is an acroterium in the centre, surmounted by a pedestal, on which is placed a chalice. A gallery resting on Doric columns occupies the west end, and the sides of the interior; the fronts are plainly pannelled. The organ is a handsome design in divisions, covered with pediments; on each side are additional galleries for the charity children, which cover a part of the lobbies. The pulpit and reading-desk, according to the modern practice, are copies of each other, and are situated on opposite sides of the middle aisle. |
The architect of this chapel is J. Gandy. esq.; it was commenced in , and consecrated by the late bishop of London, (Dr. Howley) on . It was built by the parish, with the assistance of a grant of from the commissioners for building new churches; it is estimated to accommodate persons. | |
On the south side of is | |
