Nominal: 1209 Hz Weight: 573 lbs Diameter: 28.5" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Purdue (generic)
Dove Bell ID: 62206 Tower ID: 24729 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Whitchurch: St Augustine
Overview
Grid reference: ST 603 676
This red-brick church and integral hall is carefully located to maximise its defining feature, its height in relation to its footprint. The apsidal organ chamber rears from the main body of the church, the hills behind providing a striking backdrop when viewed from the north. Designed in the late 1960s and completed in 1972 to an ambitious and award-winning design by Michael Jenner.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Church building has been demolished
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
4-bay nave and sanctuary with sanctuary at west end, font adjacent to the south of the sanctuary, first floor choir and second floor organ chamber in north apse. Integral hall to the south of the church and ranges of ancillary rooms wrapping around the south and west sides, and entrance hall along the east.
Dimensions:
Nave 10m (31ft) by 8m (25ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
Designed in the late 1960s and completed in 1972 to an ambitious and award-winning design by Michael Jenner. The building was almost immediately pronounced structurally flawed and there were proposals in 1981 to demolish it. However, the diocese decided to use the funds from a successful court action against the builders to consolidate and repair the church, which included the demolition of the unsafe bell tower. Problems with the building have however continued, mostly related to the sheer height of the nave and organ chamber and the poor quality of the workmanship and materials used for the windows and roof.
Exterior Description
A visually striking building, in an uncompromising modernist style, with great play on angles and slopes. The projecting north apse containing the organ chamber and choir below is a prominent part of the composition, with a steep mono-pitched roof. The nave has a gabled roof, the north slope following the pitch of the organ chamber roof which has a clearstorey of narrow slit windows above it. The hall and south wing is covered by a single great sweep of roof.
Tall slit windows are also a feature of the nave, with a clearstorey of such windows high in the north wall above the hall. The northern half of the west nave wall has such windows from ground to eaves height, with horizontal bands of coloured glass suffusing the interior in colour. There are also such tall windows in the eastern bay of the south wall, and in the first floor of the choir/ organ chamber. Square pilasters demarcate the nave bays.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 4-bay
Sanctuary
20th century west end
Organ (component)
20th century chamber
Church Hall
20th century
Building Materials
Brick
20th century red
Steel
20th century cantilever roof
Tile
20th century roofing
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church is simple and unadorned, the walls painted battleship grey. The aisles are again demarcated by square pilasters. The attention is captured by a large Crucifix figure behind and above the sanctuary. The sanctuary itself is a square dais with simple contemporary altar and rails. The organ is raised above the choir seating, reached by a spiral staircase. The church floors are of artificial stone slabs, with linoleum in the hall and other rooms.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Plain, of a piece with the communion rails.
Reredos
20th century Bronze crucifixion figure with a cross on the wall behind, with head back and arms stretching upwards as if imploring heaven.
Pulpit
20th century Tall square pulpit, very plain.
Lectern
20th century Plain.
Font (component)
12th century Limestone tub font, Norman, set on a cylindrical lead base. The remnants of incised semi-circular niches or arcading can be discerned in the sides. Four stainless steel bolts have been inserted around the rim. Oak strapwork cover with turned knob handles, 17th-century. Both are from Bristol St Augustine's, bombed during World War II.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century In the west windows only. Coloured glass employed in horizontal bands.
Organ (component)
20th century Two manual pipe organ with 9 speaking stops by Harrison and Harrison of Durham. Built in 1902, originally housed in Prudhoe Methodist chapel and moved here in 1972.
Bench (seat)
20th century Dark-stained.
Rail
20th century Plain wooden rail around the dais.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 603 676
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 | Yes |
| 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
Sources
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