All Saints Church, West Dulwich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church, West Dulwich |
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View from the east
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 All Saints' Church, West Dulwich
Location in London Borough of Lambeth
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| 51°26′30″N 0°5′50″W / 51.44167°N 0.09722°W | |
| Location | Rosendale Road, Lambeth, London SE21 |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | All Saints |
| Consecrated | 13 November 1897 |
| Events | June 1944 damaged by V-1 flying bomb June 2000 gutted by fire |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 27 March 1981 |
| Architect(s) | George Fellowes Prynne |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1888–91 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | brick |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Lambeth |
| Episcopal area | Kingston |
| Diocese | Southwark |
| Province | Canterbury |
All Saints' Church is a beautiful Church of England parish church located in West Dulwich, South London. It's a striking red brick building designed in a Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like churches built in the Middle Ages, but it was actually built much later.
The church was designed by an architect named George Fellowes Prynne. It was built between 1888 and 1891. All Saints' Church is considered very important historically and architecturally. It is a Grade I listed building. This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England.
Contents
What is a Parish?
How the Parish Started
The area around All Saints' Church used to be mostly countryside. But then, in 1863, the West Dulwich railway station opened. This made it much easier for people to travel.
Because of the new train station, many new homes were built in the area. These were often large, fancy houses. As more people moved in, there was a need for a new church.
So, a new church area, called a parish, was created for All Saints'. It was made from parts of nearby parishes.
Early Days of the Church
At first, a temporary church made of iron was put up on Rosendale Road in the 1880s. This was used while the permanent church was being built.
The permanent All Saints' Church was finished and officially opened on November 13, 1897.
In 1901, about 3,665 people lived in the parish. Many of them attended church services. By 2011, the population of the parish had grown to about 6,400 people.
The Church Building
Design and Size
The church was designed by George Fellowes Prynne. He learned from another famous architect, George Edmund Street.
The church sits on a hill that slopes down towards Rosendale Road. The front part of the church, called the east end, is very tall.
Most of the church is built over special underground rooms called crypt spaces. These spaces are used a lot by the local community for different activities. The building is very large, even though it was never fully completed as planned.
What Was Planned?
The original plan for the church was even bigger! The main part of the church, called the nave, was meant to be three sections longer. It was also supposed to have a round baptistery at the west end.
There was also a plan for a tall, thin spire, called a flèche, over the main altar area. A tall, slender tower was also planned next to it.
However, only the base of the flèche was built. The bell tower you see today was added later in 1952. It is much smaller than the original plan.
Building Materials and Features
The church is built with red bricks and has stone decorations. The roofs are very steep and covered with slate tiles.
The sides of the church have smaller roofs with deep gutters. The main part of the church has a row of windows high up, called a clerestory.
The church has a long main hall, but the very end section was never fully finished. It has a temporary roof. On either side of the main hall are narrower aisles and porches. These areas are now used for other purposes.
Inside, there are special chapels. The Lady Chapel is on the north side, and All Souls' Chapel is on the south side.
Challenges and Restoration
World War II Damage
In June 1944, during World War II, a V-1 flying bomb exploded close to the church. This caused a lot of damage. All the beautiful stained glass windows were shattered, and the roof was damaged.
Even with the damage, church services continued in the crypt spaces underground. The church was repaired after the war.
The Fire of 2000
On June 9, 2000, a big fire broke out inside the church. The fire destroyed almost the entire interior of the building. It was a very sad event for the community.
It took several years to restore the church. The restoration work was finished in April 2006. The new entrance at the west end of the church has a modern look. This is a contrast to the older Gothic architecture of the rest of the building.
The church's organ was also destroyed in the fire. In 2011, a new organ was installed. It came from St Paul's School in Barnes.
Other Uses of the Church
All Saints' Church is not just a place for worship. It's also a busy community hub.
- It is the home for the Lambeth Orchestra and the Dulwich Symphony Orchestra. These groups use the church for rehearsals and performances.
- After the church was restored from the fire, a private nursery school was set up in the basement. This means the church helps care for young children in the community.
