Weight: 465 lbs Diameter: 26.5" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by Charles & George Mears 1844
Dove Bell ID: 57406 Tower ID: 22012 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Christ Church Marylebone
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 273 818
The principal building material is brick, with stone (probably Bath stone) for door and window surrounds, and Portland stone for the eastern salient of portico, tower and vestibules. A stone balustrading extends all round the body of the building, and this masks the existence of the clerestory windows. The eastern salient is architecturally the most striking aspect of the building externally, and is a considerable landmark in that it is visible from the Marylebone Road and still dominates Cosway Street.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
A plain rectangle, with a portico of shallow projection at the east and the westernmost bay extended a short distance beyond the aisles; on the north side this extension is masked by the entrance porch which was probably added by Sir Arthur Blomfield.
Description of Archaeology and History
By Philip Hardwick, 1822-4. Partially funded by the Commissioners.
Exterior Description
The principal building material is brick, with stone (probably Bath stone) for door and window surrounds, and Portland stone for the eastern salient of portico, tower and vestibules. A stone balustrading extends all round the body of the building, and this masks the existence of the clerestory windows. The eastern salient is architecturally the most striking aspect of the building externally, and is a considerable landmark in that it is visible from the Marylebone Road and still dominates Cosway Street. It is faced with Portland stone ashlar and consists of three elements: a central tetra-style portico, of shallow projection with Ionic columns and a pediment flanked by shorter side bays with aedicular pedimented window frames. The north and south walls of this part of the building have screens of two pairs of Ionic columns each, also extremely shallow in projection, and on these screens enclose the subsidiary entrances to the side vestibules which contain the staircases to the galleries.
The central feature of the facade, however, is the tower. Rising from behind the portico, this has a square base with a clock face in all four directions; then a circular stage (or at least a stage, for the belfry, with rounded corners) enclosed within a framework of columns which supports an entablature; above this is an octagonal cupola, finished off with a ribbed stone dome, the whole surmounted by a ball and cross. At the base of the cupola are scrolly volutes. Perhaps the most original aspect of the design is the contrast between the broad squat columnar stage and the comparatively modest scale of the cupola.
Interior
Interior Description
There are entrances at the north-west and south- west as well as through the eastern salient of the building. The interior of the eastern salient is divided, like the exterior, into three clearly identifiable elements. It forms an octagonal vestibule, stone-paved, and with a broad-ribbed domical ceiling. Flanking this central vestibule are the subsidary entrance vestibules, square in plan but with circular domed ceilings having the same broad ribs as the central octagonal space. At the west, possibly where the alter originally was, there is now simply a plain wall surface except for the cornice which is continuous all round the interior of the building and the tall central round headed window which matches those of the north and south walls.
The interior is divided into five wide bays, separated by Corinthian columns, with a short bay at either end. At the link between the main east and west bays and the shorter end bays an attached half-pilaster is coupled with the end column and has its own half-capital. The aisles are galleried, the gallery fronts being set back to the middle depth of the columns.
The ceiling is likewise divided into five main compartments, with the short additional bay to east and west. At the west the short bay has a single plaster rosette in the centre. The ceiling as a whole is elliptical, and the bays separated from one another by bands of guilloche ornament, and the rim of the oval touches on either side the embrasures of the round-headed clerestory windows. In the centre of each oval is a smaller oval containing an elaborate centrepiece of a stylised flower encircled by fernlike fronds.
Fixtures and fittings
Organ (object)
1825
By J.C. Bishop. The organ, on the south side of the choir, is of three manuals and 24 speaking stops.
Rail
Late 19th Century
Communion rails
Pulpit
The pulpit is a substantial exercise in Blomfield's idiosyncratic but eminently enjoyable mode of Renaissance style. It is lofty, supported on a central panelled octagonal stem (which has voluted brackets at the top) and cornor columns. The corner columns have tiny Ionic capitals, are ribbed, and the lower third of them is broader but tapering upwards and carved in low relief with anthomion and other ornament. The square chamber of the pulpit is richly inlaid with marbles of varying hues, created an impression of great splendor and richness.
Font (object)
The font is square, and of three different marbles (chiefly white, but green panels on the sides of the bowl and red colonettes supporting it): it is mildly classical, doubtless by Blomfield.
Bells
Weight: 560 lbs Diameter: 30" Bell 2 of 3
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1824
Dove Bell ID: 57407 Tower ID: 22012 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 1134 lbs Diameter: 41" Bell 3 of 3
Founded by G Mears & Co 1865
Dove Bell ID: 57408 Tower ID: 22012 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 273 818
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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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