Canvey Island: St Katherine's Worship Centre
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 791 843
Although built of wood, the church is rendered on the exterior, and gives the appearance of a village hall. For the most part the windows are rectangular or else single lancets, but the east and west gables are pierced by circular lights, that in the west wall of five circles round a central circle and that in the east simply a large quatrefoil.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Cruciform, with shallow transepts which have little impact on the rectangular nave and chancel. The bell-cote stands over the crossing and there are two low additions to the north, one a vestry and the other a shed.
Description of Archaeology and History
The first church on this site was built in 1631 (or 1622 according to another source) by the Dutch settlers who drained the land. The church was destroyed in 1667 by the Dutch fleet and rebuilt several times, always in timber. The first English church was dedicated to St. Katherine and was erected in 1712. In 1745 the second English church was built and was was built and was Codicated dedicated to St Peter. The present building dates from 1875 on a site slightly to the north of the previous buildings. The architect was F.G. Lee.
Exterior Description
Although built of wood, the church is rendered on the exterior, and gives the appearance of a village hall. For the most part the windows are rectangular or else single lancets, but the east and west gables are pierced by circular lights, that in the west wall of five circles round a central circle and that in the east simply a large quatrefoil. Each of these walls has a pair of lancets also. The south transept gable has three lancets and the nave is lit by a series of three-light windows within rectangular wooden frames. A fifth of those (slightly more elaborate) appears in the north transept gable. North of the nave and the chancel are two shed-like additions housing a vestry and a boiler room and at the south-west corner of the nave is a small porch with carved bargeboards. The crossing is capped by a bell-cote with a disproportionately wide slated spirelet.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1893
A window in the north transept of three lights representing the Three Maries (the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Mary Magdalene and St. Mary of Bethany). The window dates from 1893 and was designed by A. Nicholson and executed under his direction by "Mr. Southgate of Islington". Its interest lies in the fact that it was based on fourteenth-century glass and was a conscious attempt to imitate the style of the time.
Stained Glass
1950
Virgin and Child by Eric Dilworth.
Interior
Interior Description
The church is quite dark because of the small windows (some of which are in any case boarded up). The walls are plastered, but in the nave are also panelled with a high pine dado which accentuates the narrowness of the building. The roof is supported by tie-beans carried on brackets and supporting turned king posts in each bay save that occupied by the rood screen. Although it stands at the mid-point of the transepts, the situation is resolved by the insertion of two arches of timber, one to the west of the screen and one to the east. These are traversed by small parclose screens.
Fixtures and fittings
Screen
The screen is of timber, apparently late nineteenth-century but in the style of Perpendicular East Anglian examples with four narrow and one wider central bay, all with pointed arched heads and cusped tracery. The coving is minimal, as is the polychrome decoration.
Pulpit
The pulpit is hexagonal, with each panel pierced by a cusped circle intersected by a cross.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 791 843
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.
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
Submit a change
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