St David's, Paddington
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 266 818
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
6-bay aisled nave and 2-bay chancel in one, church hall underneath. Now all subdivided for classrooms and facilities.
Dimensions:
24m (80ft) x 12m (40ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
The present church was built in 1896 to the designs of C Evans Vaughan (who built Finsbury Town Hall). It replaced a temporary iron church built around 1890, this was apparently dismantled and moved to Milford Haven. This had previously been an area of houses including the last thatched house in the Paddington area which burned down, so archaeological remains relating to Post-Medieval settlement might be expected on the site. The windows were damaged in World War I.
After a decline in congregation in 2006 it was converted into a private Anglo-French language school under licence.
Exterior Description
A bold and rather mechanical design in the Free Perpendicular style, enlivened by the complex tracery of the fenestration. Shouldered gables and finial crosses. Fine 4-light west window with a roundel containing swirls, also found in the tall 2-light side windows and 4-light east window. Nave and chancel in one, heavily buttressed under a gabled roof. Foundation stone set into west wall records it was laid in 1896 by Sir John H Puliston. There are three doors in the west wall, the outer two pointed, giving access to the hall under the church. External stone stairs from north vestry inside giving access at the east end.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century 6-bay
Aisle
19th century aisled nave
Chancel
19th century 2-bay chancel
Church Hall
19th century church hall underneath
Building Materials
Brick
19th century yellow stock brick
Stone
19th century dressings
Slate
19th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
Inside, the whole building is occupied by the school over both floors. Excellent timber roof with carved tie-beams and struts. The east end is intact, with good choir stalls, gilded wrought iron communion rails and carved and gilded oak reredos with panelling which defines the organ (Gray and Davison c1885, recently restored by the school) on the south side and vestry on the north, the latter now a kitchen. Good gilded hexagonal pulpit, these all of a piece. Mosaic effect floor to the chancel, otherwise wooden floors. Stained glass with the Ascension and the Good Samaritan to the east window, signed “M&H”, donated by local Mason’s Lodge, perhaps 1920s.
The brass eagle lectern and registers since 1890 are kept in the church. The richly carved octagonal stone font presented by the Parry family in 1897 is still in place at the west end, surrounded by office equipment. There is a wooden tablet and small marble tablet which are World War I memorials, and a framed paper with two names from World War II.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 266 818
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 | 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
Quinquennial Inspections
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