Description

The following building shall be added:

TQ 18 NE KENTON ST.LEONARDS AVENUE

1157-/4/10002 CHURCH OF ST MARY and
parish hall

II*

Anglican Church and parish hall. 1935-6, to the designs of J.
Harrold Gibbons, the builders Messrs Melsom and Rosier of
Wealdstone. Brick and stone trim; concrete. Roofs of tile.
Lady Chapel of one rib vaulted bay with north and south
clerestorey windows, placed, unusually, on first-floor level
and set off from the chancel by a parapet wall. Chancel of two
bays with carved baldachhino. South transept of one bay,
serving as base of south tower; exceptionally high and narrow
transept arch and two-light window; ceiled by painted, ribbed
barrel vault. Shallow north transept of two bays with shallow
transverse segmental barrel vault to each bay. Nave of three
bays with aisles and deep west organ gallery with organ of
early C20 date; nave clerestorey. South aisle is quite narrow
and lit by paired lancet lights, some with stained glass.
North aisle is broad and lit by trios of flat-arched windows;
good stained glass to several windows. Well massed gallery
stair associated with stone baptismal font in northwest corner
of nave, the combination a signature feature of Gibbons'
designs. Rood with carved figures, gilded and painted. The
roof to crossing a quadripartite rib vault; ribbed and painted
pointed barrel vault to the nave. Colour scheme appears
original: ceiling dark blue with light green and white
details; the concrete walls of the interior largely unpainted.
Exterior: west elevation with pair of lancet lights in stone
surround. Recessed entrance porch with double doors and
ornamental hinges of an original design. Lean-to north aisle
roof. South aisle flat roofed, the ceiling inside coffered.
Traceried lights confined to east half of church. Sacristy
under Lady Chapel. Vestries to northeast and southeast
corners. Noteworthy features include: original wood block
paving set in herringbone pattern; wood pulpit and tester to
south side of nave, polished marble chancel pavement and
steps, electric light fittings to nave and sanctuary lamp.
Second entrance in base of south tower, leading into transept.
Three-bay round-arched arcade, known as the cloister, runs
from east face of tower to clergy house/parish rooms; these,
in turn, run perpendicular to the main axis of the church and
form one side of a deep forecourt to Kenton Road. The latter
structure, designed from the same materials as the church and
in a complementary style, are included for their group value.
The style of the whole a reduced Gothic Revival. The quality
of construction and finishes is extremely high. The refined
details of the design, scale of the interior, and the
harmonious colour scheme/lighting make for a truly exceptional
interior.

Listing NGR: TQ1718488783

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Church of St Mary official website
• Wikidata Q17551628

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Period property manual, victorian house manual 2 books collection set by ian rock
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)