familiar landmark of London's social and religious history. Later use Despite the fatalistic tone of the contemporary news report, sufficient of the original building was retained that it remained recognisable in the streetscene until bombed during the Second World War. Though it had various commercial uses after 1881, most notably as the Ring – a boxing arena – which commenced in 1910. Dick Burge and his wife Bella Burge acquired the lease, and developed the venue so as to cater for a working class audience. In 1914 Bella became the first woman to attend a boxing match and soon her friend Marie Lloyd and other actresses became regular attendees at bouts. Today, on the site of the Surrey Chapel is a modern office block named Palestra. The new building is used by Transport for London and the London Development Agency. Situated opposite, across Union Street, is Rowland Hill House: an interwar block of council flats named in honour of the chapel's founder. The Surrey Chapel that existed in south London should not be confused with Surrey Chapel in Norwich, which was founded in 1844 and continues to the present day. Background reading Rev. Newman Hall D.D. (1868). Sermons with A History of Surrey Chapel and Its Institutions. New York: Sheldon External links History – church.co.uk British History Online – Surrey Chapel 'The Ring' boxing venue Surrey Chapel missionaries References Congregational churches in London Methodist churches in London Religious organizations established in 1783 Former buildings and structures in the London Borough of Southwark Former churches in the London Borough of Southwark Former Methodist churches in the United Kingdom 18th-century Methodist church buildings 1783 establishments in England