Southend-on-sea: St Erkenwald
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 890 854
A noble and austere building, of yellow stock brick with some stone detailing. The west facade is not so impressive as it would have been if the massive tower had been built to the south-west, but it is a strong and forceful design: a central rose window is flanked by two square projections, each surmounted by a stone turret and conical spirelet.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, north aisle, chancel, south vestries.
Description of Archaeology and History
Sir Walter Tapper. Designed in 1905; the first part completed in 1907 and the building consecrated in 1910. A tall south-west tower was projected, but never built.
Exterior Description
A noble and austere building, of yellow stock brick with some stone detailing. The west facade is not so impressive as it would have been if the massive tower had been built to the south-west, but it is a strong and forceful design: a central rose window is flanked by two square projections, each surmounted by a stone turret and conical spirelet. In the centre of the gable is a stone crucifix, with plinths for figures of the Blessed Virgin and Sta John. The Chancel is' flanked by three massive pairs of buttresses with saddle-back caps. In the centre of the roof, towards the east, is the belfry containing a single gmbell and capped by a slender fleche.
Building Materials
Brick
Yellow stock
Stone
Some detailing
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is less austere. The walls are plastered. At the west end is a baptistery, of one shallow bay separated from the nave by a triple arcade; the nave is of four bays, with passage aisles, and the chancel of two bays - the eastermost having canted sides. The entire lehgth of the church is 126 feet, and the height from floor to apex of the vault is 60 feet. It is unfortuante that the wrought-iron screen, intended by the architect never executed to provide a punctuation mark between nave and chancel; without it, the progression from west to east seems less satisfactory than it should be and there has also been re-arrangement of the chancel furnishings. The north aisle, which forms a small chapel for daily services, is architecturally richer than the nave: it has an impressive vault, and four windows in the north wall of two lights each in the Early English style. The east window of the north aisle, as of the chancel, is of three lights.
Fixtures and fittings
Organ (object)
Four manuals and constructed of 3 different instruments
Pulpit
Modern
Font (object)
Of marble and alabaster with carved steeple—shaped cover, gilded.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 890 854
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
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