Farringdon Church Of England Primary School And Village Hall

FARRINGDON CHURCH ROAD SU 73 NW

2/42 Farringdon C of E primary school and village hall

GV II

School and village hall, within one building. 1870-1900. Red brick in English bond, with much terra-cotta surface ornament, with a tile roof. This structure was built during a 30 year period by the Rev. T H Massey (rector for 62 years), with the help of 2 or 3 craftsmen. It is locally known as Massey's Folly, a name which parallels the very unusual design; although its intended (but unachieved) function remains obscure, the building was taken over in 1925, and later modified, for its present purpose. Of 2 storeys, with an attic in part, the south elevation has a main unit (village hall) of 3 upper bays with a tower at its west end; a lower unit west of the tower stands forward of 2 further units of similar size, the westernmost being turned south-west, to fit the curve in Church Road. This general 2-storeyed theme has had the upper floor removed, to form the village hall and 3 classrooms to its west. The north elevation has 2 unequal towers, the taller centred on the village hall, and the lower giving access to the school. The elevations have many features typical of English Jacobean, but the treatment is elaborate in form, and fantastic with enrichment of terra-cotta decoration (representing an illustrated catalogue of the period 1873-80). The 3 unequal towers have arched and square openings, some with windows but many filled as decorative panels, bands at floor and impost levels, and a series of bands and projections at parapet level. The main gables are semi-circular, and completely filled with dog-tooth ornament. The roadside elevation has exaggerated hoodmoulds, mostly triple windows, applied ornamental panels, and a parapet with recessed crosses.

Listing NGR: SU7132335379