Parish Church Of St Andrew And St George

The Parish Church of St Andrew and St George is a church dating from 1956 to 1960, designed by Seely and Paget. It is constructed with a reinforced concrete frame and precast concrete wall panels faced with a texture resembling flint, buff brick to the narthex, and copper-covered barrel roofs. The church follows a traditional plan with a rectangular, aisled space, having the altar set against the east wall. It is raised above ancillary rooms, some used by the town museum. Steps lead up to the central entrance, which is set within a single-storey brick narthex under triple segmental barrel roofs. The tall nave has lower aisles, and concrete flying buttresses connect the aisle walls to the clerestory. The east and west walls of the main space are fully glazed, the east wall featuring stained glass while the remainder has plain plate glass. Windows are divided vertically and horizontally by white-painted frames and delicate glazing bars. A continuous clerestory band features a vertical pattern of lights with an unusual rhythmic glazing pattern, while the aisles have narrow slit windows. The tower is circular, built around a reinforced concrete frame with six uprights over five stages topped with a spire formed by the convergence of these upright members. A central concrete spiral staircase rises through the tower, with a simple metal balustrade. Internally, each bay is defined by two intersecting hyperbolic paraboloid arches in exposed reinforced concrete, which also support the clerestory. The barrel vaulted ceilings are lined with varnished timber plywood. Exposed brown brick is visible to the left and right of the sanctuary, a narrow easterly projection lined with slender, fluted columns of dark red colour. The original altar remains in situ against this background, set on three steps, although a second altar has been placed on a new platform nearer the front. A moulded timber pulpit is raised on a 'wine glass' foot. The font, at the west end of the central aisle, is made of timber with a concave shape, supported by dolphins and featuring a spun steel bowl in a moulded timber holder. Moulded timber pews are also present. Rich stained glass, in a semi-abstract style and centred on a red cross, decorates the east end. The church serves as a focal point in Stevenage and is particularly notable for its dramatic structural form.