One of Wren’s assistants, John James, who was an under-surveyor of St Paul’s Cathedral, was the architect of this church. It was built in 1721–25, and a chancel was added toward the end of the Victorian era. The colonnaded portico was the first of several in this particular area, a design that was to be particularly associated in later years with the Georgian period. It was originally intended to serve a new parish growing up in what was countryside north of Piccadilly and south of Oxford Street. Today its fashionable surroundings make it a popular choice for society weddings. The most famous parishioner of St George, Hanover Square, was (appropriately) George Frederick Handel. For thirty-four years, from 1724 until his death in 1759, the great composer resided nearby in Brook Street and worshipped regularly at this church.