St Peter le Poer

St Peter le Poer stood on the west side of Broad Street in the City of London. It was a parish church first mentioned before the end of the 12th century. The name may refer to the area’s poverty or to the nearby monastery of St Augustine. By the 19th century the district had become one of the richest in the City. The church belonged to the dean and chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral. It survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. The building was rebuilt in 1540 and enlarged in 1615. In 1630 a new steeple was added and a west gallery installed. By the late 18th century the ground level had risen so high that curtains were drawn across the lower windows during services. The composer Elizabeth Hardin served as organist at this time. The church fell into poor condition by 1788 and an act of parliament authorised its demolition and rebuilding. The new church, designed by Jesse Gibson, was consecrated in November 1792. It had a circular nave about 54 feet across with a central lantern and no side windows. The altar stood on the north-west side opposite the entrance. The east front facing Broad Street showed a classical facade with columns and a low square tower. The interior was described as resembling a lecture room. The church was demolished in 1907 and its fittings were moved to the new St Peter Le Poer in Friern Barnet.