Description

In the entry for:

ISLEWORTH GREAT WEST ROAD
TQ 1577
(south side - off)
787-/27/10010 Church of St Francis of
Assisi (no.859)
II

the address shall be amended to read "Church of St Francis of Assisi (no. 865).

------------------------------------
The following building shall be added:

ISLEWORTH GREAT WEST ROAD
TQ 1577
(south side - off)
787-/27/10010 Church of St Francis of
Add (no. 859)
II

Church, with attached vicarage and vestries to left, church hall to right. 1933-5 by E C
Shearman at the expense of Father Frederick Howard Harding, the first incumbent. Some
additional fittings 1958 in his memory. Claygate stock brick with contrasting stone bands
externally and Fletton brick internally, slate roofs. Liturgical points used in description, though
liturgical east in fact north. Sanctuary set in deep apse and flanked by side chapels separated by
paired lancet openings and reached by narrow passage aisles; these last continue as passages to
the slightly wider five-bay nave, separated by a simple arcade and transversed by narrow lancets.
Chancel arch, no crossing; what appear as stunted transepts on the exterior are contained within
the passage aisles and side chapels internally. Stairs at either side of west end lead to small gallery
housing organ, over ancillary rooms. The sanctuary ceiling is of fibrous acoustic panels, painted;
the nave has an open timber ceiling with arched trusses.
The apse is lit by tall lancets in Early English style, but which have recticulated tracery; these
later motifs are continued in the fenestration of the nave - where, however, the second and
third bays are blind - and the side chapels, whose square 3-light windows are wholly
Perpendicular. Circular window in west end. Sanctuary with altar, sedilia, and crucifix (1957-8).
Side chapels with wooden altar rails and reredoses, that to the north furnished in memory of
Father Harding, 1957-8.
The church hall, vestries and vicarage form a single composition with the church, abutting the
aisles. The church hall is further linked by an arched brick aisle. Their steep slate roofs
harmonise with those over the nave, and contrast with the bulk of the apse. All have mullion
and transom windows with leaded lights.
This powerful composition shows the richness of Gothic design in the 1930s, of which
Shearman was one of the best exponents of creating monumental spaces out of simple materials.

Listing NGR: TQ1597877274

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Church of St Francis of Assisi (Number 865) at Wikipedia
• Church of St Francis of Assisi (Number 865) official website
• Wikidata Q26551608

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)