Church Of St Stephen

The Church of St Stephen is a Grade II* listed building constructed between 1866 and 1867, designed by Joseph Peacock. An octagonal vestry was added to the north-east, along with a passage behind the east end and a south-east chapel, all completed by H R Gough in 1887. The chancel was recast from 1903 to 1908 by G F Bodley and Walter Tapper. The church is built from coursed Bargate stone, with Yorkshire parpoints used for the 1887 additions, and features Bath stone dressings, topped with a slate roof.

The architectural style is a transitional but eclectic Gothic, showcasing many unique features. It has a nave with lean-to aisles, double transepts that extend from the aisles, and additional short transepts located north and south of the choir. Although a north-west tower was planned, it was never constructed. The church features unusual tracery patterns throughout, with rose windows above long lancets at the east end and choir transepts, as well as over two very long windows at the west end. The clerestory has an irregular design, and there is a deep entrance porch at the west end of the north aisle.

Inside, the nave consists of six bays supported by an arcade of Pennant stone columns, Bath stone arches, and polychromatic brick wall surfaces, all of which are now painted. The nave has a timber roof of braced Queen post type. The pews were designed by Peacock. The chancel was completely recast by Bodley and Tapper, featuring a tall reredos by Bodley with gilded wooden figures carved by Bridgeman of Lichfield. An organ loft was added on the north side between 1905 and 1906, along with black and white marble paving by Bodley and Tapper, and a rood by Tapper in 1908. St Stephen's Chapel, located under the organ, was completed by Tapper in 1913, while an equivalent chapel on the north side was designed by Sir Charles Nicholson in 1936. The font, located under the west windows and designed by Peacock, is now surrounded by choir stalls by Tapper and topped with a tall inter-war canopy. The stained glass varies in quality but includes notable west windows by Mayer of Munich from 1881, with additional work in the aisles by Lavers, Barraud, and Westlake. This church is considered one of the best remaining works by the 'rogue' Victorian architect Joseph Peacock, described as being 'tamed by other hands' (Goodhart-Rendel) but enriched with added interest rather than diminished effect.