The Inigo Jones church: St Paul's, Covent Garden

Image: © Stefan Czapski Taken: 24 Dec 2010

This is the quiet approach to the church from the west, through the churchyard. The east end of the building is far better known, with its great portico which doubles up as a stage for street performers: Image. Architecturally, the church's most remarkable (and memorable) feature are its eaves. According to Sir John Summerson (in his little book, 'The Classical Language of Architecture') eaves like these were described by the Roman architect Vitruvius nearly 2,000 years ago - but Inigo Jones was the first to build them, circa 1630. Over the centuries Inigo Jones' design has inspired others. An unmistakable instance is the former Shambles (1804) in Stamford, Lincolnshire: Image Rather grander is the old Corn Exchange in Winchester (circa 1837), recently refurbished as the 'Discovery Centre' Image Both of these reproduce Inigo Jones's portico, with its eaves and four columns. A modest rural example - less of a straight crib - is to be found in Lincolnshire: Image In recent times Inigo's design has picked up something of a 'cult following' among architects - with some truly bizarre results:Image

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