St Peter le Poer

The church, often spelt "St Peter le Poor", was in existence by the end of the 12th century. The name was traditionally explained as a reference to the poverty of the area – although by the beginning of the 19th century it was one of the richest in the City – or to its proximity to the monastery of St Augustine, whose monks professed indigence. The church survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. As it stood in the later 18th century, the building was 54 feet long and 51 feet wide, with a small tower in the north-west corner. A clock hung from the middle of a beam extending across the road from the church. ==Rebuilding==

The church had fallen into such a poor condition by 1788, that the parishioners obtained an act of parliament to demolish and rebuild it. The new building, to the designs of Jesse Gibson, was consecrated on 19 November 1792. It cost more than £4,000, £400 of which was provided by the City. the site of the medieval chancel becoming part of the roadway. Some of the monuments in the old church were broken up and their brass plates sold to a plumber in the Minories. The east front in Broad Street had an entrance facade with four attached columns supporting an entablature and pediment, behind which rose a low square tower, ornamented with pilasters and urns. The church was surrounded by houses on the remaining sides. The circular form of the interior was not evident from the street. ==Demolition==

As late as 1884, the St Peter's received a new Henry Willis organ but, as the City's resident population declined, it was deemed surplus to requirements and demolished in 1907, under the Union of Benefices Act 1860. The parish was united with that of St Michael, Cornhill. The interior was photographed by the architectural photographer Bedford Lemere shortly before demolition. Proceeds from the sale of the site were used to build St Peter Le Poer in Friern Barnet, which also received the City church's font, pulpit and panelling. The new St Peter Le Poer in Barnet was built in 1909–1910 by W. D. Caröe. The foundation stone was laid on 2 November 1909 and the church was consecrated 28 June 1910 by the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Arthur Foley Winnington-Ingram. It is a Grade II listed building. ==References==