James Gray: Queen Square was started about 1850 and the Independent Chapel, later Union Church, was built in 1854. At the same time the houses on the west side were being built and the New Baptist Chapel at the top followed a few years later. In the gap shown were built during 1862 or 1863 the three houses 12, 13 and 14 Queen Square so the photograph is of the period 1860/1862. The three houses mentioned were removed in 1908 to make way for the Church Hall and there have been many changes to the facades of both Chapels since they were built as can be seen by a comparison with later photographs. jgc_21_010
James Gray: Photographs [jgc_21_012 and 013] of Queen Square before 1908. In that year, two houses, Nos 12 and 13, were replaced by the present Union Church Institute Hall. The building at the top of the Square on the right was then the Queen Square Baptist Chapel. jgc_21_012
James Gray: Photographs [jgc_21_012 and 013] of Queen Square before 1908. In that year, two houses, Nos 12 and 13, were replaced by the present Union Church Institute Hall.
James Gray: The peaceful scene looking into Queen Square, from the corner of Western Road, with the policeman wondering when the next traffic was going to arrive. Fowler’s shop is empty, awaiting demolition, so the year is 1929 when it was removed as part of the Western Road widening. jgc_21_014
2018: The scene today is unrecognisable.
James Gray: In less than thirty years, the 1957 photograph shows a dramatic change [from jgc_21_014]. Motor traffic had greatly increased, necessitating controlled car parking, taxi ranks and kerbside railings to protect pedestrians. Union Church was then little changed, but now it has gone, being demolished in 1984. jgc_21_015
James Gray: Photographs [jgc_21_016 and 017] of 25 March 1984, depicting the demolition of this, the most central church in Brighton. Built in 1853-54, and opened on 12 October 1854, the building was extended northwards in 1866. Union Church Institute, further up Queen Square, was erected in 1908. Union Church, having amalgamated with the Presbyterian Church in North Road, became redundant, hence its demolition. jgc_21_016
James Gray: Queen Square House, the office block that replaced Union Church, photographed on 24 January 1988. The church lasted 130 years – will this building? The old Baptist Chapel in the far left corner. jgc_21_020
James Gray: A recent copy of a very old photograph, probably of 1870s vintage. It shows the Baptist Chapel in its very early days. It became a Free Church in 1904 after the larger Gloucester Place Baptist Church was built to replace it. In the late 1940s it was converted to offices and probably it was at this time that the pediment was removed. The present frontage is seen at the extreme left in photograph No.20. jgc_21_018
2018: The basic shape of the former Queen Square Baptist Church (minus the pediment) remains the same but the frontage – especially the doors and windows – is very different. It is currently the home of DV8 Sussex, a training provider for young people within the city. The building work is on the site of the former ice rink at the north end of the square, soon to be a Supercity Aparthotel. (Photographer: Clare Hughes)
James Gray: This photograph, of about 1900, shows Mr Fuggle’s Grocery Shop, 117 North Street, at the corner of Queen Square. The business was founded here in 1866 by Mr T. Fuggle, who later amalgamated with Mr J.S. Unwin of “Golden Canister” fame. The business closed down in February 1911. Thereafter the premises were occupied for many years by Graves Son & Pilcher, Estate Agents, until 1937, when the corner block was demolished for street widening and the Sun Insurance Office’s building erected on the cleared site. jgc_21_026
James Gray: Just behind these buildings seen in the previous photograph was this house 1, Queen Square, photographed in June 1962. This too has since been demolished and the dual site awaits future development. jgc_21_033
2018: The building in the original image has been demolished and there is now a five-storey office block at One Queen Square. (Photographer: Clare Hughes)
James Gray: The peaceful scene in Queen Square at the top of North Street, in 1907. At that period, it was entirely residential with a Baptist Chapel at the top of the east side as well as Union Church, lower down. jgc_21_050
2018: The Union (Congregational) Church in Queen Square was demolished in 1984 and replaced by a large office development fronting Queen Square, and some housing behind on Zion Gardens.
James Gray: A view at the end of Western Road, taken on 11 October 1970. Although the picture shows other buildings, such as the Central Free Church, its purpose was to record 1 and 2, North Street Quadrant. These buildings were about to be removed and were demolished in February 1971. jgc_19_153