Conservation Area (CA)
Queen’s Park
Local Listing Reference
LLHA0264
Description
Built in 1894 as St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the building was designed by local architect, Herbert Buckwell, the son of a ship owner and brewer of 36 Egremont Place. He was in practice as Johns & Buckwell at 33 New Road and Union Chambers, 162a North Street and lived at nearby 6 West Drive in 1901 and 16 West Drive in 1911. He designed the church for the congregation of the previous St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, which needed to relocate after the church in Thomas Street was demolished in a slum clearance scheme. It took its current name in 1943.
The Church, rectangular in plan, has an imposing gabled frontage to Park Hill, in yellow-brown brick in Flemish Garden Wall bond, with red brick banding to the shallow-projecting central section and plaster mouldings to the gable. The segmental-arched entrance is approached via steps; cast iron railings run either side in front of the basement lightwells. A tall octagonal chimney rises on the east side as a distinctive feature.
A. Architectural, design and artistic interest
iv. This building is a good example of work by a local notable architect as it was designed by local architect, Herbert Buckwell. The frontage to Park Hill is architecturally impressive, with a use of round or segmental arched openings, projecting gable and various embellishments in a free Renaissance style.
B. Historic and evidential interest
ii. The asset illustrates the social development of non-conformist religious worship Brighton & Hove in the late 19th and 20th centuries.
C. Townscape interest
i. The church is located within the Queen’s Park conservation area, facing the southern end of the park itself, but is architecturally atypical of the style yet makes a positive contribution to the area; it was recommended for inclusion on the Local List in the Queens Park Character Statement (2018). The Church’s presence in the street is exaggerated by the dramatic topography of Park Hill.
iii. It forms a focal point and local landmark due to its location on the steep slope of Park Hill.
D. Communal value (non-compulsory)
i. The church forms a source of local identity for the local evangelical christian community.
E. Rarity and representativeness
i. The church is a good example of a design of late-Victorian non-conformist church which is uncommon in the locality and different to the general character of the conservation area.
F. Intactness
ii. The church remains in its original use as a place of worship.
Date of inclusion
2023
