St.Peter the Apostle, Gorleston
Posted: May 18th, 2011 | Author: eastcoastnet | Filed under: Transitions | Tags: Church of St.Peter the Apostle, Derek Jackson, Eric Gill, Gorleston on Sea Heritage | No Comments »
Central tower with Eric Gill mural and crucifix hanging over altar, St. Peter the Apostle, photograph by Derek Jackson
Of the many unsung architectural gems in Yarmouth and Gorleston St. Peter the Apostle in Gorleston-on-Sea, designed in 1938 by the famous sculptor Eric Gill, must be one of the most unusual.
Eric Gill had trained in an architect’s office in his youth, the experience proving useful when he was later commissioned to ornament buildings and monuments. When he was asked to design a new 300 seat Roman Catholic church for Gorleston, he must have seen this as a welcome opportunity to put his architectural ideas into practice, along with his view that the altar should be placed at the centre of the church in the midst of the congregation.
The Parish Priest whose idea it was to commission Gill was Father Thomas Walker: he had made friends with the sculptor whilst serving as a curate in High Wycombe. Gill used the High Wycombe architect Edmund Farrel to assist him design a plain bulding that could be built by local craftsmen and with local materials. The structure was designed outwards from the altar, as Gill believed that a church is there “first and chiefly as a canopy over an altar” (Plain Architecture by Gill). Crossed arches create an octagonal central space for the altar, with the crucifix suspended above it from the central tower. Arches are used throughout the church, springing directly from ground level, not supported on piers as is usually the case in churches. The dynamic affect is very striking. The structure of the roof timbers is also very eloquent in its truth to function.
Photograph by Derek Jackson
The Yarmouth firm H.R.Middleton & Co. were contracted to build the church and the foundation stone was laid in February 1939. The church was opened in June 1939, so it didn’t take long to build. The whole cost was £6,700.
The Stations of the Cross were created by Denis Tegetmeter, Gill’s son-in-law. The stained glass window at the east end was designed in 1963 by Joseph Edward Nuttgens, who had been a friend of Gill’s and was the leading stained glass maker of his time.
Externally, Gill designed a very pleasing arched passageway from the church to the priest’s house. It is a real delight to visit this unique church and much appreciation is due to Father Henry MacCarthy for accommodating this visit by Derek Jackson and Bridget Heriz.
Interpretation by Derek Jackson of interior of St. Peter’s
