Collection: St Pancras
St Pancras New Church is a striking example of Greek Revival architecture in London. Here are some fascinating facts about it:
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Built for a Growing City: When it opened in 1822, it was the most expensive church built in London since the reconstruction of St Paul’s Cathedral.
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Architectural Inspiration: The design was influenced by ancient Greek monuments, including the Erechtheum and the Tower of the Winds in Athens.
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Unique Caryatids: The church features terracotta caryatids, modelled after Greek originals, standing above the entrances to the crypt.
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Crypt with a New Purpose: Originally designed to hold 2,000 coffins, the crypt was later used as an air raid shelter during World War II and now serves as an art gallery.
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Royal Connection: The Duke of York laid the foundation stone in 1819, inscribed with a Greek phrase translating to: “May the light of the blessed Gospel thus ever illuminate the dark temples of the Heathen!”.
