Grade II*-listed church at risk of demolition
Grade II*-listed, 1890, Sir Arthur Blomfield
This tall red brick church, in a vigorous Early English gothic style, is beautifully proportioned and largely intact. Described in its listing as an outstanding example of a large, red-brick town church, it is one of the best works by Blomfield, one of the 19th century’s most active and successful church architects. Sadly, despite being watched over by a dedicated member of the former congregation, a lack of repair since the church closed in 2008 means that daylight can now be seen through the roof above the altar, and that the magnificent Powell & Sons inlaid stone decoration on the wall behind the altar has been damaged by damp. The projected cost of repairs over the next 10-15 years is £1.2 million, but this reflects a backlog of basic maintenance rather than any fundamental structural problem affecting the building. The church has been up for sale since January 2012 but there have been no sustained expressions of interest and the Church Commissioners are now mooting demolishing the church. Demolishing a Grade II*-listed building without any known structural issues is extremely unusual and would set an unfortunate precedent. The Church Commissioners should instead work with the local council to explore other sustainable uses for the building.
Status Update / March 2026
The church went on the market in 2012, and is marketed as ‘ideal for other uses subject to planning permission’, with offers sought ‘in the region of £250,000’. Reports in the local press indicate that a buyer has been found but the details are yet to be confirmed.