Church of St Francis of Assisi (Number 865)

The Church of St Francis of Assisi, with attached vicarage, vestries, and church hall, was built between 1933 and 1935 by E C Shearman, funded by Father Frederick Howard Harding, the first priest in charge. Additional fittings were added in 1958 in his memory. The church is constructed of Claygate stock brick with contrasting stone bands externally, and Fletton brick internally, with slate roofs. The liturgical east of the church faces north. The sanctuary is set within a deep apse and flanked by side chapels, separated by paired lancet openings and accessed by narrow passage aisles. These aisles continue as passageways alongside a five-bay nave, separated by a simple arcade and featuring narrow lancet windows. There is no crossing, and the exterior’s appearance of stunted transepts is contained within the passage aisles and side chapels inside. Steps on either side of the west end lead to a small gallery housing the organ, over ancillary rooms. The sanctuary ceiling is of painted fibrous acoustic panels, while the nave has an open timber ceiling with arched trusses. The apse is lit by tall lancets in Early English style, which incorporate recticulated tracery. Later Perpendicular motifs are echoed in the nave’s fenestration, although bays two and three are blind, as well as in the side chapels which have square, three-light windows. A circular window is in the west end. The sanctuary contains an altar, sedilia, and a crucifix (1957-8). The side chapels have wooden altar rails and reredoses; the north chapel is furnished in memory of Father Harding (1957-8). The church hall, vestries, and vicarage form a cohesive design, abutting the aisles. They are linked to the church hall by an arched brick aisle. Their steep slate roofs complement those over the nave and contrast with the apse’s bulk. All buildings feature mullion and transom windows with leaded lights. This design showcases the richness of Gothic architecture in the 1930s, highlighting Shearman’s skill in creating monumental spaces from simple materials.