Calvary Church of God in Christ Gargoyles - Fentiman Road, London, UK
N 51° 28.883 W 000° 07.184
30U E 699989 N 5707293
The square tower at the corner of the church, that is located at the junction of Fentiman and Meadow Roads, has a gargoyle at each corner.
Waymark Code: WMHFRW
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 07/06/2013
Views: 3
The church tower is brick built with a gargoyle at each
corner. These are carved from Portland stone and have suffered from some
weathering but, in general, their features are still to be seen. The
gargoyles are at a height where they could be used to drain water from the tower
of the roof. It has to be assumed that they are still in use as there are no
downpipes for rain water.
The church is Grade II listed with the entry at the
English Heritage website telling us:
Calvary Church, formerly Methodist
Church an Sunday School. 1900-1901, architects George and Reginald Baines.
Perpendicular style in red brick with stone dressings and slate roof Church
has five bay nave, lower chancel, transepts, south west tower and splayed
west porch. South west tower of three stages with crenellated battlements
with gargoyles, traceried windows and wooden shutters to bellcote and
horizontal bands. Lowest stage has lancet and arched entrance set in comer.
West end has massive traceried window with trefoi1s and pinnacles. West
porch is splayed at the corners and has two arched entrances flanked by
buttresses.
Cinquefoil-headed lights to nave divided by buttresses and transepts have
two large traceried windows with roundel with quatrefoil above. Southeast
gable with circular window and north east projection to chancel with a
lancet window, crenellated parapet and pyramidal roof with finial.
Attached to north west is former Sunday School in matching stlyle and
materials. Two storeys with gable on right hand side with traceried window
and elaborate ogee-arched doorcase flanked by sidelights and projecting
gable to left with triple trefoil window on first floor and four-light bay
on ground floor.
Church has ceiling of arch-braced type on stone corbels with ornamental
square grilles, west gallery with trefoil design, elaborate carved wooden
reredos with cinquefoil motifs, large fretted stone pulpit, curved wood and
metal altar rails, original wooden pews and stained glass to windows and
doors with unusual sunflower motifs.
Former Sunday School has similar arch-braced roof: stained glass with tulip
or lily design and scrolled metalwork balcony. Staircase has iron stick
balusters and elaborate column newel. First floor room has original cast
iron fireplace with four thin pilasters and panels of floral designs.
The information board outside the church advertises
services being held at:
Sunday School 10.45am to noon
Divine Worship 12.00pm to 2.00pm
Evening Worship 7.00 8.30pm
Weekday Services
Wednesday Prayer Meeting 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Friday Youth Fellowship 7.30 - 9.00pm