The first public building by Gibbs (1682-1754), who had studied in Rome with Carlo Fontana.

"Situated conspicuously on an island site in the Strand, it is notable for its fine proportions, with facades of superimposed Ionic and Corinthian Orders, a semicircular portico and storeyed western steeple, oblong on plan."

— Sir Banister Fletcher. A History of Architecture, p1056.