Church of St George-in-the-East and St George's Gardens

The church of St George-in-the-East was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor. The foundations were laid in 1714, the building roofed in 1717, and the church was finally dedicated on July 19, 1729. The new parish was created  out of the Parish of Stepney and named St George-ion-the-East, in order to distinguish it from other parishes named after St George.

The church was built on a confined site hemmed in, on its south side, by the buildings which ran along the Ratcliff Highway (now The Highway). Nicholas Hawksmoor designed the church to soar above these buildings, thus ensuring that much of the detail of the church would remain visible for years to come. The original church was formed in the shape of a Greek cross within a rectangle. It had 'pepper-pot' towers, over the gallery staircases, and a tower, at the west end, that featured an open octagon top stage.

In May 1941, during the Blitz, an incendiary bomb hit the church and destroyed the interior. Although the interior was damaged beyond repair, the walls and the 'pepper-pot' turrets remained standing. In 1964, Arthur Bailey designed a modern church interior, which was constructed inside the existing walls, and which was dedicated in April 1964. At the same time a ring of eight replacement bells, cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, were installed.

Nicholas Hawksmoor (circa 1661 - March 25, 1736)

Nicholas Hawksmoor was born in Northamptonshire, circa 1661. He went on to become Sir Christopher Wren's assistant in the design and supervision of the building of St Paul's Cathedral, Chelsea Hospital, many City churches, and royal residences.

In 1705, Nicholas Hawksmoor was made deputy surveyor of the works at Greenwich Hospital and, in 1723, he became surveyor general at Westminster Abbey. He also worked with Sir John Vanbrugh on Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard.

Under the Act of Parliament 1711 he was appointed as one of the architects for 'Building Fifty New Churches'. However, of the fifty proposed churches only twelve were completed, six of which were designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor: Christ Church, Spitalfields; St Alphege, Greenwich; St Anne's, Limehouse; St George-in-the-East; St George's, Bloomsbury; St Mary, Woolnoth.

Nicholas Hawksmoor is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in Baroque architecture.

Henry Raine Memorial

Henry Raine was born into a wealthy family, in 1679. He made his fortune from brewing and was the owner of the 'Star Brewhouse', at New Crane Wharf.

In 1719 he built 'Raine House', in Wapping. This was a charity school that provided education for fifty boys and fifty girls, which he supported at his own expense. When the children finished their school life the boys were apprenticed to local tradesmen, while the girls went into domestic service. The school became 'Raine's Foundation School', which is now situated in Bethnal Green.

In 1729, Henry Raine, a devout churchman, became instrumental in the creation of the parish of St George-in-the-East and ensured that his charitable foundation forever linked his schools with the parish.

On August 13, 1724, Henry married Sarah Petrie, of Mile End New Town, in the church. Tragically Sarah died six months later, on February 26, 1725. Henry was devastated and never re-married. Both Sarah and Henry are interred in the Raine family tomb.

Nature Study Museum

This forlorn looking building was once a mortuary, serving the area for many years. It was to this building that the body of Elizabeth Stride, the third victim of Jack the Ripper, was taken following its discovery on September 30, 1888. Her post-mortem examination was also performed here.

Following its life as a mortuary it was converted into a Nature Study Museum, opening in 1904 as a branch of the Whitechapel Museum. In an overcrowded inner city area it gave local people the opportunity to interact with nature, in a pioneering way. 

Exhibits included aquariums with live fish and amphibians, while other displays were of stuffed birds, butterflies, and mammals. During the summer months it was said that over 1,000 people would visit the Nature Study Museum, many of these being groups of school children.

Directly outside the Nature Study Museum a wild flower garden was planted, along with several specimen trees. There was also an aviary and a beehive.

At the outbreak of World War II the museum was temporarily closed. However, this temporary closure became permanent and the building fell into disrepair, with the roof collapsing some time ago.

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