James Gray: A view of St Mark’s Church, southern and east facades, at the corner of Church Place. Photograph printed from a waxed paper negative, period about 1860. Note the comparative newness of the Church, built in 1849. Additional Information: Street lamp. jgc_23_035
2019: James Gray’s picture from c1860 depicts St Mark’s pretty much as it was when it was first consecrated in 1849. The modern picture shows the 19th century additions to the south transept and the east window. The window was built to commemorate the contribution made by the church’s original main benefactor, the 1st Marquess of Bristol. (Photographer: Alice Jackson)
James Gray: Externally this has changed little in its life of more than 100 years. It was built in 1849 more or less at the expense of the Marquis of Bristol, and used primarily as a chapel for St Mary’s Hall School. It soon superseded St George’s as the church for the recently built Kemp Town Estate. jgc_23_038
2018: St Mark’s Church and the adjacent building show remarkably little change in the modern picture, only the size of the trees indicating the passing of over a century. St Mark’s was deconsecrated in 1986 and now serves as The Spire Arts Venue. (Photographer: Alice Jackson)
James Gray: House in the private part of Church Place, August 1930. Virtually unchanged 40 years later. jgc_23_039
2019: These charming 19th century houses are situated just to the north of St Mark’s Church [see jgc_23_035 and 038 above]. Apart from the loss of ivy and the addition of a glazed porch, little has changed. (Photographer: Alice Jackson)