3-077-844 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Prince of Wales laying the Memorial-Stone of the St. Martin's Parochial Buildings, 1890. 'The Prince of Wales, on Tuesday, March 18, performed the ceremony of laying the memorial-stone of important parochial buildings to be erected by the Vestry of the Parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar-square; consisting of a new Vestry-hall, to be styled "Townhall," and a Free Library...the architect is Mr. Robert Walker...the builders are Messrs. Mowlem and Burt, for the Townhall, and Messrs. Peto, for the Free Library...The Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princesses Victoria and Maud...were met by the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, M.P., the Bishop of London...there was a brief religious service, conducted by the Bishop of London, the Vicar following with an address to the Prince of Wales, which referred to the interesting historical associations of the parish. With the assistance of the architect and contractors, his Royal Highness laid the foundation-stone of the Townhall, using an onyx-handled silver-gilt trowel...The Royal party were then conducted to the site of the Free Library, with the building of which some progress has already been made by Messrs. Peto. Here the Vicar read an address on behalf of the Library Commissioners'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.