Description

SAFFRON WALDEN

TL5338 ABBEY LANE 669-1/1/8 (North side) 01/11/72 United Reformed Church (Formerly Listed as: ABBEY LANE Congregational Church)

GV II

Congregational chapel. 1811, altered 1888. Red brick, random burnt headers, stucco front lined for ashlar, slate roofs. 3x3 bays, single storey, hipped roofed vestry to E. W front: has open modillion pediment with anthemion at apex, centre bay recessed under moulded round arch, side bays with windows set in segmental arched recesses. Tetrastyle Ionic porch with modillion cornice. 9-panelled double doors flanked by similar single doors, with pilasters, panelled reveals. Fine cast-iron Adam-style fanlights; semi-elliptical to centre, round-headed to sides. Round-arched window over porch with moulded architrave, pilaster jambs with moulded string course at level of capitals; margin glazing. Side bays have 2-light mullion and transom windows with moulded architraves, round-headed margin glazed lights. Side elevations: have modillioned eaves, ground floor and gallery windows in round-arched recesses with 2-light mullion and transom windows detailed as before, under segmental rubbed brick arches. E end wall: has rebuilt parapet, two 2-light windows, arched recesses detailed as before. Abutting vestry has dentilled eaves, margin glazed sash window in arched recesses to E, similar window and inserted door to N; porch with slate roof and spiral columns to S. INTERIOR: gallery with cast-iron quatrefoil columns, dentilled cornice, solid panelled frontal. Arched recess to E wall with rosette moulding, fluted pilasters with stylised anthemion capitals. Vestry doors with pedimented doorcases. C18 mahogany pulpit, remodelled and enlarged in late C19 with additional barley-twist columns; stair with C18 handrail, later balusters and newel. Dais rail, mid C19, fluted newels with acorn finials. Dado panelling with dentilled cornice. Fine complete set of late C19 pews with decorative carved ends, scrolled armrests, brass numbers and umbrella racks. Vestry has dado panelling and cast-iron Art Nouveau fireplace. The church occupies the site of the original Meeting House of the Independent Congregation founded 1665.

Listing NGR: TL5359838349

External Links

• Wikidata Q26570327

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