Dickens himself lived nearby, in Lant Street, lodging in a house that belonged to the Vestry Clerk of St George's.

This was during the darkest period of his life when, as a teenager, with his father in prison, he had to work in the 'blacking factory', and his literary career must have seemed an impossible dream.

This statement indicates that this St George's is the first church with this dedication in Greater London, and predates Edward III's adoption of him as the patron of the Order of the Garter by over 200 years.

The major City Livery Companies and the Bridge House Estates also supported this rebuilding, their arms decorate the nave ceiling and stained glass.

In 1852 the Anglican evangelist William Cadman became rector of St.George the Martyr, Southwark, then one of the largest parishes in London with a nominal congregation of 30,000.

He made St George's church ' the centre of operations from which a body of volunteers worked in all parts of the community.

He recommended establishing either a National or a ragged school in each sub-district with Scripture lessons provided by the local clergy.

[6] The foundations of the south wall were strengthened in 1938 and helped save the building from collapse during World War II, when the damage from enemy action was considerable.

[6] The red brick and Portland stone structure of the church has suffered from considerable subsidence damage, and the nave was declared unsafe in 2000, although services continued in other parts of the building.

Subsequent archaeological investigations of the ground beneath the church found substantial medieval and Roman structures.

The new 'crypt', in fact a church hall created by the underpinning works, provides a new conference venue in central London.

The coats of arms of four of the City Livery Companies (the Skinners, Grocers, Fishmongers and Drapers) appear on a frieze.

[2][9] The east window of the church, which includes a kneeling figure of Dickens' character Amy Dorrit, was designed by Marion Grant.