According to Marcus Patton in his book, Central Belfast An Historical Gazetteer, Upper Church Lane was laid out by 1819. The IHTA refers to it being named on 1 September 1844 (Belfast Corporation minutes). According to the website of St George's Church, High Street, "A group of parishioners formed themselves into a Building Committee, and with minimal support from state or Diocese, erected a chapel of ease on the site of the old Corporation Church which opened in 1816 – this became today’s St. George’s Church". Church Lane and Upper Church Lane take their name from this church.