1881 – Proposed Roman Catholic Church, School & Presbytery, Bromley, Kent

Architect: E. Ingress Bell

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“We give this week a facsimile of Mr. Ingress Bell’s drawing-, now being exhibited at the Royal Academy, showing the plan and main elevation of the church, school and presbytery proposed to be built from his designs at Bromley, in Kent, by the Right Rev. Monsignor Goddard, to meet the wants of the Roman Catholic population, who are increasing proportionately with this fast-growing town, and who have now no nearer place of worship than the Catholic church at Chislehurst. The site selected is on the main London road, on the outskirts of the town, and immediately opposite the very interesting “Bromley College,” built by the Bishop of Rochester in 1666. This picturesque group of buildings, with its pretty chapel, its quiet quadrangles, and shady walks— still paced daily by those ” widows of clergymen of the Church of England ” for whom the good bishop endowed the work— is doubtless familiar to most of our readers. The proposed church will stand some two or three feet above the level of the road— an accident which will give additional effect to its lofty proportions. The materials will be red brick, with stone dressings, and green ” Countess” slates for the roofs. The whole will be treated with the severest simplicity of detail— the interior will be lined with pressed bricks, and thick walls and well-studied proportions will alone be relied upon for effect. A rood-beam and figures will mark the division between nave and sanctuary. The school and priest’s house will be first commenced, the former being used as a temporary chapel during the progress of the church.” Published in The Building News, May 6 1881.