Church of St Philip

Church of St Philip

An Anglican church dating from 1869-70, designed by Frederick Preedy (1820-1898). A vestry was added in 1954 by John M. Collier.

The building is constructed of sandstone walls with Bath stone dressings, granite detailing, and a clay tiled roof. Although orientated south-west to north-east, the description uses liturgical coordinates. The plan comprises a four-bay nave with a small narthex at the south-west, a two-bay chancel with a north organ chamber, vestry and boiler room.

The exterior is faced in snecked sandstone with ashlar dressings, except for the vestry which is plain ashlar. The nave and chancel are articulated by buttresses with offsets and stone coping to the gable ends. A bellcote sits between the nave and chancel. The nave bays contain two-light windows with trefoil arches and quatrefoil oculi above each. The chancel's primary south-bay has a three-light window with two oculi, with a plain pointed-arch window on either side of the secondary bay. The east window has three lights with two small and one large foiled oculi. The west gable displays a central two-light window with an oculus and single lights either side, whilst the narthex has cinquefoil windows to both sides. The main entrance is a gothic arch doorway with granite columns featuring foliated heads and carved bases, with a solid door bearing decorative bracing. The bellcote has a pointed head with offsets and a Celtic cross finial; a plain cross finial crowns the west gable. Two commemorative panels have been added to the west elevation for those who fell in the First and Second World Wars and Palestinian War.

Internally, the nave is a large uninterrupted space from which pews have been removed, with all internal walls in ashlar. The roof is an exposed arched-braced construction with braces resting on carved stone corbels rising to collars, and further braces extending to the ridge. The rood screen and pulpit are carved wood with intricate detailing. Foliated corbels, chamfering and decorated window surrounds provide carved ornamentation. The narthex-to-nave door is solid with decorative strap hinges. Windows throughout are clear glass with diamond leading, except for two stained-glass windows: the east window by the architect depicts Old Testament narratives of the Binding of Isaac, the Brazen Serpent and the Crucifixion; a south-east nave window by Capronnier dated 1871 shows Christ and Mary Magdalene. An elaborate reredos of marble and alabaster features mosaic angels and various crests by Burke & Co. The choir stalls are simple benches with trefoil backrests; a simple rail stands before the altar. The font is square with squared-off corners, supported on four narrow and one wide column, with the phrase "suffer the little children" from the gospels carved in relief around the top. A wooden panel war memorial lists the dead of the First and Second World Wars. The vestry displays similar stylistic features, with a carved stone piscina on a column at its entrance.

The churchyard is enclosed by sandstone walls, some with attached iron railings. Stone gate piers at the front of the church have chamfered corners and circular motifs. An iron boot scraper stands at the main entrance.