Church Of St Francis Of Assisi (Number 865)

In the entry for:

ISLEWORTH GREAT WEST ROAD TQ 1577 (south side - off) 787-/27/10010 Church of St Francis of Assisi (no.859) II

the address shall be amended to read "Church of St Francis of Assisi (no. 865).

------------------------------------ The following building shall be added:

ISLEWORTH GREAT WEST ROAD TQ 1577 (south side - off) 787-/27/10010 Church of St Francis of Add (no. 859) II

Church, with attached vicarage and vestries to left, church hall to right. 1933-5 by E C Shearman at the expense of Father Frederick Howard Harding, the first incumbent. Some additional fittings 1958 in his memory. Claygate stock brick with contrasting stone bands externally and Fletton brick internally, slate roofs. Liturgical points used in description, though liturgical east in fact north. Sanctuary set in deep apse and flanked by side chapels separated by paired lancet openings and reached by narrow passage aisles; these last continue as passages to the slightly wider five-bay nave, separated by a simple arcade and transversed by narrow lancets. Chancel arch, no crossing; what appear as stunted transepts on the exterior are contained within the passage aisles and side chapels internally. Stairs at either side of west end lead to small gallery housing organ, over ancillary rooms. The sanctuary ceiling is of fibrous acoustic panels, painted; the nave has an open timber ceiling with arched trusses. The apse is lit by tall lancets in Early English style, but which have recticulated tracery; these later motifs are continued in the fenestration of the nave - where, however, the second and third bays are blind - and the side chapels, whose square 3-light windows are wholly Perpendicular. Circular window in west end. Sanctuary with altar, sedilia, and crucifix (1957-8). Side chapels with wooden altar rails and reredoses, that to the north furnished in memory of Father Harding, 1957-8. The church hall, vestries and vicarage form a single composition with the church, abutting the aisles. The church hall is further linked by an arched brick aisle. Their steep slate roofs harmonise with those over the nave, and contrast with the bulk of the apse. All have mullion and transom windows with leaded lights. This powerful composition shows the richness of Gothic design in the 1930s, of which Shearman was one of the best exponents of creating monumental spaces out of simple materials.

Listing NGR: TQ1597877274