St Peter le Poer, Baroque church in City of London, England
St Peter le Poer is a baroque church built with a circular nave and a large central lantern that floods the interior with light through glass panels on its sides. The structure occupies a distinctive spot on Broad Street with an unusual spatial layout that sets it apart from typical church designs.
The church was founded before 1200 and underwent major reconstructions in 1540 and 1792. Architect Jesse Gibson designed the final form that shaped the building we see today.
The dean and chapter of St Paul's Cathedral held patronage rights over this religious establishment throughout its existence in Broad Street.
The building sits on raised ground, which means the lower windows sit quite close to street level. Visitors should be aware of the unusual entrance positioning and the grade changes around the structure.
The altar sits on the northwest side facing directly toward the main entrance, breaking from the typical eastern placement found in most churches. This unconventional arrangement created a different experience for visitors moving through the space.
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