The former Mission Hall, walls and railings to Iffley Road and Tabor Road

The former Mission Hall, walls and railings to Iffley Road and Tabor Road

This former mission hall was designed by H R Gough and constructed in 1883-4 by the builders Tomes and Wimpey. The sculpted finials are said to be by Baron de Sziemanowicz.

The building is constructed of brick with cement render applied to the gable ends. The roof is covered with asbestos sheeting.

The hall is arranged as a linear range aligned east to west, with entrances at both gable ends. On Iffley Road to the east and Tabor Road to the west, access is provided through the gable elevations. The central hall contains a mezzanine at the east end and a stage at the west end. Beneath the stage and extending under the Tabor Road pavement is a basement comprising rooms that formerly contained toilet facilities and storage.

The gable elevations display a free interpretation of crenellated 15th-century Venetian Gothic, with matching treatment and arrangement on both sides. Each gable is lit by three tall windows comprising vertically arranged pairs of metal-framed cusped lancets with transoms and mullions. These windows are three or four lights in depth. Above each window is an ogee drip mould with detailed stops. The stepped gable parapet is crowned by a carved, scrolled finial.

At both gable ends, two separate entrances flank the hall beneath crenellated parapets, fitted with timber entrance doors. At the west end on Tabor Road, the access arrangements differ to accommodate the basement rooms below. Flights of steps lead up to moulded four-centred arch door openings. Above each door are pairs of stubby cusped lancets with multi-coloured lights set within a recessed and cusped panel, topped by a drip mould. The basement rooms are lit by three large multi-panel metal casements at this level. At the east end on Iffley Road, the entrances are level with the pavement. The recessed panel above the cusped door opening has two blind window openings and quatrefoils over the lancets.

The side elevations and roof are not visible from either gable end.

Internally, the hall has exposed wooden floorboards and over-painted brick elevations. The roof structure comprises cast iron truss plates supported by ribs with quatrefoil piercings to the spandrels. A dormered clerestory provides fenestration, with some glazing renewed.

At the east end, the mezzanine partition is panelled at ground floor level with matchboard above and a band of glazing that appears to be of later date. The upper level is accessed by stairs but retains no historic fixtures and fittings. Modern toilet facilities are located beneath the mezzanine.

At the west end, the stage opening appears to have been remodelled, with partitions inserted to create additional studio space. Plain stairs lead down to the basement rooms, where a contemporary part-glazed door survives. A partially blocked fireplace may mark the position of the kitchen range. Doors provide access to a small yard in front of the basement windows. The former toilet and storage bays extend beneath the pavement.

At both the Tabor Road and Iffley Road elevations are small courtyards defined by low rendered walls topped with railings, terminating in piers.