Bell 1 of 1
Dove Bell ID: 65515 Tower ID: 25737 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Ventnor: St Alban
Overview
Grid reference: SZ 556 775
St Alban’s church, like much of Ventnor, is built against St Boniface Down which provides the steep backdrop. The present church was built in 1922-3 and replaced an iron building which was used for nearly 40 years previously on the same site. The church was designed by a local architect, Franco M Coley, based on a basilican plan and uses Romanesque semi-circular headed arches throughout. Externally the style is austere and plain; the west elevation has three tall single lancets and a tiny light at the top of the gable. An open portico leans against the full width of the building with a tiled roof and simple arcade of thin arches and a wider three-centred arch placed centrally.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and apsidal chancel, south aisle with apsidal lady chapel, vestry, sacristy and narthex.
Dimensions:
Nave approx 25m x 10m (82 x 33 ft)
Description of Archaeology and History
The present church was built in 1922-3 and replaced an iron building (dedicated to St Margaret) which was used for nearly 40 years previously on the same site. It was the first church to be built in the Diocese of Winchester after the First World War (the Isle of Wight became part of the newly created Diocese of Portsmouth in 1927).
The church was designed by a local architect, Franco M Coley, and originally had a tower at the south west corner which was removed due to structural instability (although the QIR suggests that it was never built). The records of the Incorporated Church Building Society show that a grant for a new church here was first applied for in 1890 but was rejected.
Exterior Description
Externally the style is austere and plain; the west elevation has three tall single lancets and a tiny light at the top of the gable. An open portico leans against the full width of the building with a tiled roof and simple arcade of thin arches and a wider three-centred arch placed centrally. Under the porch there is a wooden doorway and a small light on either side and a further slender opening to the south side.
The south aisle sits a bay in from the west of the nave, leaving a clear space where either the tower was built or intended to be built, and finishes just as the apse of the chancel begins. The aisle has a separate pitched roof which dies into the nave just below the clearstorey windows, eight widely spaced short lights.
The west end of the aisle has two thin lancets. The south side has a series of steps and slopes leading up to the central door which forms the right component of paired openings in each of the three bays. The windows are outlined with a string course and hood which continues around the apse which is blind. The chancel apse is also blind and the only detail is a double string course containing a dressed stone band.
The north side of the church is close to the boundary and overlooked by houses. The elevation is simple and the only fenestration is the clearstorey which mirrors the south. There is a vestry, sacristy and toilet tacked against the east end of the nave; with pitched roofs of varying heights. There is a west facing external shouldered arched doorway and three domestic windows in both the vestry and the sacristy, the latter to the north and east respectively.
Building Materials
Stone
External walls are of dressed stone
Clay
Roof tiles
Interior
Interior Description
The walls have been painted pink, which tends to be the first impression to the visitor. There is a large semi-circular three bay arcade to the south aisle supported on grey marble columns with foliate capitals. The north wall has a much lower and smaller blind recessed arcade; presumably to give detail in the absence of any openings. A gallery at the west end houses the organ and the arcade below has three much flatter wider arches.
The chancel is surrounded with draped red curtains from the floor up to the string course of the clearstorey. The reredos makes a strong focal point and is raised on several steps (seven in total from the nave up to the altar). The floors to the chancel are black and white tiles and the nave has a mixture of quarry tiles and floorboards. The roof has king post trusses carrying purlins and rafters with laid diagonal boarding overhead.
All the windows have exposed stone surrounds except the lancets to the west end of the south aisle which are set into a recessed archway giving further evidence of the previous tower here.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
There are two altars in the chancel, one wooden with a stone base, and a further wooden high altar.
Altar
Lady chapel
One wooden altar with a stone base
Reredos
The sanctuary walls are covered with red hung fabric. The high altar is backed by a plain wooden reredos and then a section of hanging gold fabric.
Pulpit
Oak rectangular shape positioned against the north wall. Decorative carved Jacobean balustrade with carved wood from Wells Cathedral.
Lectern
Simple wooden folding lectern
Font (object)
Simple stone octagonal bowl and stem with wooden cover.
Organ (object)
1931
by Gray & Davison
Rail
Wooden and continuing the Romanesque theme with pairs of open round headed arches divided by thin columns.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SZ 556 775
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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