Above: The Vestry Hall - the Town Hall - built in the 1850s.
FLORENCE STREET ARRIVES
On 7 August 1857, the Vestry of St. Mary's agreed that land should be bought on which to construct a vestry hall. When it was finished it was a beautiful building that made a grand entrance to that end of Florence Street.
Meanwhile the Marquess of Northampton spotted the opportunity to compete with the expanding Barnsbury area and use some more of his land for residential property. With the kudos of the new Vestry Hall on the corner and the beautiful aspect of Canonbury Fields behind, as well as easy access to the shops of Upper Street, the location of Florence Street couldn't be beaten. His usual way of operating was to grant long leases to developers who would arrange for the number and format that suited the Canonbury Estate. Who the developers were for Florence Street is uncertain, but the land was sold to William Holford in 1856 for ₤3,580 and there is no further record of a transfer before the street was completed. We also don't know for sure exactly when the house building started or finished but we do know that Florence Tavern was in action by July 1858 and that the houses were occupied by September 1858.
A further question that remains unanswered is why the name Florence Street was chosen. Theories range from a distant relative of the Marquess, through to the new nursing heroine, Florence Nightingale. What we do know is that the name Florence Street was rejected by the Metropolitan Board of Works when first applied for in July 1857 on the basis that there were other streets in London with the same name. However, it appears that this rejection was ignored as it was named Florence Street from the start and accepted as such by all except the Metropolitan Board of Works.
The street also had the advantage of the Vestry Hall which needed protection and St Mary's Vestry had the police station built alongside the pub.
Although fronting on to Upper Street, the Unity Chapel was also important as through the school at the back, it also touched Florence Street. The erection of the church was commenced in 1860, from designs in the Gothic style by Mr Thomas Chatfeild-Clarke, the builders being Messrs. Axford & Co. We are told that there were the beautiful carvings on the pulpit, in addition to those on the exterior and interior of the building, were executed by Mr William Pearce, and the organ was constructed by Mr Jones, of Fulham.
While they were building the church, for a year and a half services were held in the schoolroom, and during its erection the great beauty of the church aroused much admiration and excitement in the neighbourhood. It was opened with the first service being held on 20 August 1862.
