Blackfriars Road - Surrey Chapel later known as 'The Ring'
Thanks to Freddie for reminding me of the building.
Opened in 1783 and known as Surrey Chapel, a place of Worship for Methodist and Congregational Church members of the area. It stood on the corner of Charlotte Street (now Union Street) and Blackfriars Road. The Cut, as it is known today, was then known as Great Charlotte Street. Surrey Chapel, was an octagonal building - the shape being, it is said, to prevent the Devil hiding in the corners. It closed as a place of worship in 1881.
From 1910 it became a Boxing Arena until the start of World War 2. But during 1940 this area of Blackfriars Road was struck by a bomb which partly destroyed 'The Ring' as it was then known. Another bomb in 1941 almost completely destroyed the building and eventually it was demolished.
1. The Ring - Bomb damage.
2. Palestra House, now on the site of The Ring.
3. The Ring - Bomb Damage.
4. The Pub (The Ring) - the only memory.
5. The Ring Bomb Damage
6. The Ring 1929.
7. 1896 Map showing site of 'Ring'.
8. The Ring 1900.
Blackfriars Road
Re: Blackfriars Road
A metal figure of a dog and bowl, which was over a hardware shop in Blackfriars Road, corner with Union Street. The original was taken down in 1931 and is kept in the Cuming Museum.
In March 2013, after a year of Dickens’ bicentennial celebrations, Southwark Council installed a replica of the model that Dickens saw at the same junction. The dog was carved from seasoned elm by Michael Painter who closely followed the original for his sculpture.
. At the base of The Dog and Pot is a replica of a Victorian coalhole cover which also carries the image of the Dog and Pot
Blackfriars Road c1815, corner with Charlotte Street now Union Street. This part at that time was called St Georges Place. The sign of The Dog's Head in the Pot, which stood above the corner shop at Number 23, St. George's Place, was the Hayward Brothers trademark. They eventually moved into Union Street. Ironmongers would sell metal pots and firedogs (for holding the logs in a fireplace).
In March 2013, after a year of Dickens’ bicentennial celebrations, Southwark Council installed a replica of the model that Dickens saw at the same junction. The dog was carved from seasoned elm by Michael Painter who closely followed the original for his sculpture.
. At the base of The Dog and Pot is a replica of a Victorian coalhole cover which also carries the image of the Dog and Pot
Blackfriars Road c1815, corner with Charlotte Street now Union Street. This part at that time was called St Georges Place. The sign of The Dog's Head in the Pot, which stood above the corner shop at Number 23, St. George's Place, was the Hayward Brothers trademark. They eventually moved into Union Street. Ironmongers would sell metal pots and firedogs (for holding the logs in a fireplace).
Last edited by kiwi on Mon May 03, 2021 10:24 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Blackfriars Road
This is a view of Blackfriars Road in Southwark (previously called Great Surrey Street) showing Dr. Cooper's Medical Board, the Surrey Chapel etc. The Surrey Chapel was a polygonal chapel built in 1783 for non-conformist preacher Rowland Hill (1744-1833). He was a charismatic orator. drawing audiences of up to 1000 people to the Chapel. The Chapel no longer stands as it was destroyed in the Blitz.
Re: Blackfriars Road
The Ring at Blackfriars was destroyed in the Blitz. Orbit House was built on the site in the 1960s, before it was demolished and replaced by Will Alsops Palestra building. I can remember Orbit House being built, it stayed empty apart from one floor for years.
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