Brighton: St Alban
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 325 61
An Edwardian brick building in a residential suburb of Brighton, this church is slightly strange, resulting from the fact that a smaller building has been erected on the foundations of an intended larger one, with very thick walls. It was commissioned by Mrs Moor, the wife of the Rev’d Gerald Henry Moor, Vicar of Preston, who helped to finance a number of churches built in Brighton in the early 20th century. It was demolished in 2013.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
3-bay aisled nave and chancel under one roof flanked by organ chamber and Lady Chapel, a rectangle in plan. Projecting south-west tower. Choir vestry now containing toilets facilities in the west bay.
Dimensions:
Nave and aisles roughly c 18m (60ft) square.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was commissioned by Mrs Moor, the wife of the Rev’d Gerald Henry Moor, Vicar of Preston, who helped to finance a number of churches built in Brighton in the early 20th century. These included St Matthias, Ditchling Road (1907), St Alban, Coombe Road (1910) and finally the Good Shepherd, Dyke Road (1921-2). The architect of St Alban was Lacy W Ridge. The west end of the building has been partitioned off to provide a hall and other facilities.
Exterior Description
The church is a strange building, resulting from the fact that a smaller building has been erected on the foundations of an intended larger one, with very thick walls. The architectural details are Early English if one discounts the vaguely Romanesque tower, plain except for the belfry stage which has long slit openings and four smaller apertures above in each face, tall pyramid roof.
The nave roof cants over the aisles, and wraps around the transepts. There are coped and shouldered gables. The chancel arch is expressed externally by a protruding gable, clearly a remnant of the original design. There is a 2-light plate tracery window with hood-mould in the west nave wall flanked by lancets, and a lancet to each aisle bay. The transepts have stepped triple lancets, also in the chancel side walls, more light is provided here by dormers to make up for the fact that the chancel east wall is blind.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 3-bay aisled
Chancel
20th century
Organ (component)
20th century chamber
Lady Chapel
20th century
Tower (component)
20th century projecting, south west
Vestry
20th century choir
Building Materials
Brick
20th century red
Timber
20th century roof
Tile
20th century roofing
Asphalt
20th century aisle roofing
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is very plain with cast-iron stanchions supporting an open timber roof of Heath Robinson complexity, boarded above. The huge chancel arch dominates the interior, of two plain orders, double arch to the organ chamber on the north side, with smaller arches defining the Lady Chapel on the south side. The space seems squashed because the west bay has been screened off. A curtain against the east wall serves as a reredos, a nave altar has been introduced west of the original sanctuary, which is defined by a pierced stone screen with Greek crosses inscribed 1916 in memory of Rev Moor. The nave has chairs of the early 20th-century type, two steps up to the chancel which is carpeted. There are no fittings of special interest.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Oak table.
Reredos
20th century Curtain hung from a dentilled cornice, with Chi-ro above within a gilded frame.
Pulpit
20th century The pulpit is of pine, hexagonal with panels.
Lectern
20th century Wooden box lectern, panelled.
Font (component)
20th century Stone font, octagonal. Given in memory of Cecil Langdon, Chaplain to the Forces, killed in Belgium in World War I (marble plaque behind font).
Stained Glass (window)
20th century East window of the Lady Chapel, Virgin and Child, early 20th century. Given in memory of Revd Moor by his wife.
Plaque (component)
20th century Brass plaques with the names of deceased parishioners. Large marble plaque behind the font in memory of the fallen in World War I; many names. Small marble plaque below.
Organ (component)
20th century Chamber organ brought from St Wilfrid’s.
Rail
20th century Wrought iron, wooden hand rail, plain. Low stone (concrete?) screen defining the sanctuary, pierced with Greek crosses, in memory of Revd Gerald Henry Moor.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 325 61
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
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