Church Of St Alban The Martyr

The Church of St Alban the Martyr is a church built between 1897 and 1904 by the architectural firm of Nicholson and Corlette, led by Sir Charles Nicholson. It is designed in a Free Gothic style and constructed from flint and rubble, with brick banding and mainly brick dressings, along with some stone. The roof is made of plain tiles.

The church features a five-bay nave, north and south porches, a two-bay chancel, north and south transepts, a north aisle chapel, and vestries. It has a south-east tower with canted angles and an east end gable wall that displays a triple blind arcade. The tower is embattled and includes 2-light bell openings, while the south side has a 2-light window with curvilinear tracery. The south transept boasts a double gable with 3-light curvilinear windows and a west door, and the south aisle windows are square-headed with alternately round and ogee-headed paired lights. The porch is located under a half-hipped roof at the west end of the aisle, which also features a tall 6-light window. The north aisle and porch mirror the south side, with a 2-light curvilinear window and a segmental arch leading to the chapel. The transept includes projecting single-storey flat-roofed vestries and a 4-light window above.

Inside, the chancel is notable for its richly painted barrel roof, panelling, organ-case, and reredos, which date from 1920. The chancel screen and pulpit are made of carved wood. The nave arcades are supported by chamfered square piers, and the ceiling is painted. Most fittings and decorations were designed by Nicholson, except for the font, which dates from 1675 and was created by Sir Christopher Wren. This font is made of alabaster with an oak cover, featuring an octagonal, fluted bowl and a stem with a foliate base. It was brought from St Mary le Bow in Cheapside, London, and purchased in 1898, inscribed with "The gift of Francis Dashwood Esq 1675." Nicholson's work on the church is characterized by clearly articulated forms, a strongly textured exterior, and very complete fittings and decoration.