Richmond Hill United Reformed Church And Sunday Schools

Richmond Hill United Reformed Church and Sunday Schools, formerly Congregational, was built between 1890 and 1891 by architects Lawson and Donkin. This large and elaborate structure showcases free Late Gothic style, constructed from Purbeck stone with Bath stone dressings.

The church features a north-west tower with an octagonal third stage that includes gabled windows and is flanked by polygonal pinnacles with projecting gargoyles. Atop the tower is a smaller octagonal lantern with gabled windows, supported by flying buttresses, and topped with a short spire and iron finial. The west front has a lean-to narthex with an 8-light window above, adorned with an ogee hoodmould. The south-west porch has a polygonal front and a traceried parapet.

The north and south flanks are complemented by lean-to aisles with 3-light straight-headed windows and large gabled 4-light clerestory windows. The transept gables feature pairs of tall 4-light windows with a transom, topped by a traceried rose window, and the north transept doorway is embellished with elaborate foliage carving.

Inside, the church has narrow passage aisles and a pair of arches, with one clerestory window in each bay, all framed by ribbed timber coving on the roof. This is supported by pink granite wall shafts with black shaft rings and foliage capitals. The roof's center has arched braces forming a trefoil section, with canted boarding in between and openwork foliage panels on the wallplate.

The west gallery and transept galleries have arcaded fronts, while the main pews are arranged in a semi-circle, extending into the transepts. The polygonal apse features a ribbed timber vault, also supported by pink granite wall shafts with foliage capitals. A large circular pulpit, adorned with foliage panels between buttresses and pink granite columns, completes the interior. The church is connected at the east to the Sunday Schools and halls, which were altered and enlarged in 1953.