Unitarian Church is a Grade II listed building in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole local planning authority area, England. Church.
Unitarian Church
- WRENN ID
- worn-tracery-saffron
- Grade
- II
- Local Planning Authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Country
- England
- Type
- Church
- Source
- Historic England listing
Description
The Unitarian Church, built around 1890, is constructed of red brick with cream limestone dressings and features a concrete tile roof. The main body of the church is two storeys high, with central gables that are flush with the wall, set back from the street. The street-facing side has a semi-hexagonal shape, and to the right stands an almost free-standing hexagonal tower. The design reflects a free Gothic style, incorporating details from the 14th and 15th centuries.
The church features two three-light windows in a perpendicular style, set under brick arches. The left window is positioned beneath a richly designed pierced parapet, while the central window is located under a coped gable, with both windows above cross-mullioned openings at the basement, which are fitted with wooden sashes. The slender tower has a base that includes a pair of plank doors set in a four-centred brick arch, topped with a slight ogee stone drip and a decorative pierced parapet. Above this, there is a heavy stone weathered course that supports lofty lancet windows with flamboyant tracery, separated by brick buttresses capped with stone saddle copings. The tower also features a stage with trefoil openings in circular lights, accented with stone voussoirs at diagonal points, and a parapet with semi-circular sinkings at the centre points, all topped with pinnacles and stone spouts.
The side elevations are relatively austere, showcasing three two-light stone mullioned, transomed, and traceried windows, with the central window set under a gable. At the lower level, there are paired sashes, and the rear of the church includes a domestic extension on the lower storey. Although the interior has not been inspected, it is noted that the lower hall contains original steel transverse beams supported by curved tee-section supports that are riveted in place. The overall design presents a rich mannerist interpretation of medieval elements combined with imaginative freestyle touches.
More on this building
Sign in or create a free account to unlock:
- No EPC on record for this property
- No sale records on file
- No related consent applications matched
- Detailed attributes — period, style, materials, features
- Flood risk assessment
- Radon risk assessment
Matched applications, energy data and sale records are assembled automatically and may contain errors. Flag incorrect data.