St. Paul's was built as one of the '50 New Churches' during the reign of Queen Anne. Building started in 1713 and the church was consecrated in June 1730. The architect was Thomas Archer (1668-1743), a pupil of Sir John Vanbrugh. Archer adopted a robust classical style inspired by Baroque churches in Rome. By the early 1990's the church and churchyard had fallen into disrepair. The roof was in poor condition and the north and south staircases onto the tall podium were partially buried. In 1994 Deptford City Challenge initiated the restoration project and submitted an unsuccessful bid for funding to the European Commission. In July 1997 a similar bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund resulted in a substantial grant award, which enabled the project to go ahead. The project was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 included the repair of the exterior of the church and podium, together with the provision of new mains services and exterior lighting. Extensive stone repair and replacement was undertaken of the steps and podium, the roof was reslated and the iron windows overhauled. The project was complicated by a serious fire which occurred between the two phases. Fortunately the structural damage was confined to the East end, where much of the stained glass was lost and joinery and decorative finishes were badly charred. The whole of the interior, including the fine organ case were badly blackened by smoke. The fire gave an opportunity for the historic decorative scheme of the east end to be investigated in detail and enabled an authentic recreation of the elaborate 1730's decorative scheme to be undertaken, working closely with Dr. Ian Bristow. Phase 2 included the complete restoration of the church interior, re-landscaping of the churchyard and repair of the churchyard walls. The interior was completely reserviced with a new scene setting light system featuring discrete fibre optics to boost the lighting levels and an undefloor heating below the floor boards. The interior was redecorated in its early 18th century colour scheme, the centrepiece of which is undoubtedly the elaborate decorative scheme in the Apse. The only significant alteration to the building was the provision of wheelchair access to the Nave. Our solution was the incorporation of a lift rising from internally from the (accessible) Crypt level to the Nave. The church described by Sir John Betjeman as 'a pearl in the heart of Deptford' was reopened in 2004