The series of altarpiece designs consist of three drawings (Holy Trinity, Marylebone does not have any specific drawings, but St. John's, Bethnal Green has five). Two further drawings for teh St Peter's altarpiece are in the V&A collection (E.352-1916; E. 353. 1916). The St Peter's corpus is, however, the most detailed with regards to the polychromy, and in outlining the specific painted effects required.

Faux marble effects were common during the period, and Soane's own house at No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields testifies to its use on the staircase (giallo antico) and in the front hallway (porphyry). Two marble table-tops inset with a variety of different marble and hard stone specimen squares are in the Soane collection, which Soane and clients could have used for ideas (SM L100; SM M301.A).

The Soane Office Day Book for Monday to Wednesday the 12-14 July 1824 record Stephen Burchell working on drawings for the altarpiece. It is probable the written contract involving the painter, James Hunt, was added in January 1825.