St Patrick's, Soho Square

The huge doorway on the right in this picture is to St Patrick's Catholic Church. John Kelly of Leeds designed the present enormous Italianate church in brick.

In 1760 the renowned socialite and opera singer, Teresa Cornelys rented Carlisle House in Soho Square, on this site.

She led a glamorous life. Carlisle House became a venue for soirees, recitals and concerts. The Prince of Wales attended, and amongst other things, Teresa had a daughter fathered by Cassanova. She eventually, however, went bankrupt.

Carlisle House was demolished in 1791, and Madame Cornelys' salon was converted into a Catholic chapel. The house itself was replaced with two new houses; the southern one survives. The northern house was demolished in 1891 when St. Patrick's church was built.