Queen Anne’s Footstool

A charming oddity this. Smith’s Square Hall, located near Westminster is best known today as a performance and events space. Its origins, however, lie in the early 18th century, and its history reflects both London’s architectural ambition and its ability to adapt after crisis.

The building was originally constructed as St John’s Church, Smith Square in the early 1700s and was designed by architect Thomas Archer, a major figure in English Baroque architecture. It was part of the government-backed programme to construct “Fifty New Churches” in and around London to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding city.

The church quickly became famous for its bold symmetry and distinctive profile, especially the four corner towers that give it a dramatic and recognisable silhouette.

According to popular legend, when Queen Anne was shown the original plans, she wasn’t greatly impressed. So, Archer the architect asked the Queen what she wanted it to look like. She kicked over her footstool and said ‘Like that!’, Archer supposedly took the hint and produced a church that resembled the object – a compact central body with four corner towers like the legs of a stool. The building has since affectionally become known as ‘Queen Anne’s footstool.’

For more than two centuries, the church served its local parish. During the Second World War, it was heavily damaged by bombing. Much of the interior was destroyed, leaving the building partially ruined and unusable for a time. Its survival, however, meant it could later be restored rather than lost entirely.

In the post-war period, St John’s was rebuilt and gradually transformed into a space suited to music and public events. Its structure and acoustics made it particularly suitable for performances, allowing it to shift from a traditional parish role into a broader cultural one.

Now known as Smiths Square Hall, the building remains a prominent landmark in Westminster. Its history is a clear example of how historic structures in London have been preserved not only by restoring their appearance, but by giving them new purpose.