Cambridge Hall, Kilburn

Cambridge Hall is a tin tabernacle built in 1863. The building is constructed of corrugated iron surrounding a cast iron and timber frame, with a boarded wooden roof covered in corrugated asbestos, and stands upon brick plinths.

The plan consists of a nave with aisles on either side. Partitions were added in the 1950s to the western half of the aisles, creating an imitation Ton-Class Minesweeper interior. This has resulted in a ‘u-shaped’ range of ground floor rooms, with a walkway above leading to further rooms. At the east end of the hall, further partitions separate two ground floor rooms; the northern room is currently used as an officers' mess, while the southern room provides access to the rear yard. There are three rooms above the “bridge” area at first floor level.

The west elevation, facing Cambridge Avenue, presents a symmetrical appearance. A central tower features a large arched door case with a steep gable, containing panelled timber doors with porthole windows. Above the door case is a pointed arched window with two lancets and louvres, topped by a quatrefoil. Lancets, followed by large arched windows to the aisles, flank the tower.

The south elevation has six evenly spaced windows, and a fire exit in the easternmost bay. The north elevation features three windows, followed by a blocked opening. A late 20th-century brick extension projects from the north side, housing a toilet block. The east elevation is clad in corrugated iron sheeting with no openings.

Inside, the nave is accessed through a pair of timber doors with porthole windows from the entrance porch. Timber partitions, fronted in steel seemingly salvaged from Leyland buses, are present in the western portion of each aisle. A consecrated chapel is among the varied uses of the ground floor rooms. The upper level rooms were not inspected. Hardwood floors run throughout, with the bow of a ship marked out in front of the bridge. Unusual arcading features cast iron columns with moulded capitals and tall, slender wooden arches. The roof includes six tiers of purlins, and the principal rafters support giant wooden arches with pierced daggers, mouchettes, and quatrefoils. Two anti-aircraft guns are situated in the nave: a 1942 Bofors gun in the centre, and a 20mm Oerlikon light anti-aircraft cannon to the north-east. While the Bofors gun is often referred to as being of Swedish origin, it is possible it was built in Britain under license; similarly, the Oerlikon autocannon, although of Swiss design, was likely British made. A 6-foot granite baptismal font is believed to remain under the floor behind the Bofors gun, but was not visible during inspection.