Consider these walls. They have stood since the mid-20th century. Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Catholic Church has a rich history. It stands in Tower Hamlets, London.
This church is not just any building. It is a Grade II listed building. This means it has special architectural and historical significance. Adrian Gilbert Scott designed it. He was an architect known for ecclesiastical buildings.
The modern Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Catholic Church was built between 1951 and 1954. It was part of the Festival of Britain’s Lansbury Estate Live Architecture Exhibition. Cardinal Godfrey consecrated it in October 1960. It replaced an older church from the 1850s. William Wardell designed that earlier church. Sadly, it was destroyed in the Second World War.
Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Catholic Church has a unique design. It features a Greek Cross plan. The structure uses steel girders and brick. A reinforced concrete spire rises above. The exterior presents a series of rectangular blocks.
Inside, notice the elongated and tapered round parabolic arches. Some describe them as camel vaulted. The architectural style is a mix. It combines Art Deco or Jazz Modern elements. There are hints of Hispanic Moorish, ancient Persian, or Egyptian influences. Gavin Stamp called it Jazz Modern Byzantine. This phrase is even used in the church’s listing.
The design shares similarities with work by Giles Gilbert Scott. It also resembles Adrian Gilbert Scott’s earlier St. James Anglican Church in Vancouver. The parabolic arches influenced his later work. St Leonard’s Church in St Leonards-on-Sea also features similar arches.
Peter Watts created the stone reliefs of the Stations of the Cross inside Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Catholic Church. William Wilson of Edinburgh designed the stained glass. The church is a testament to post-war architectural innovation.
The use of reinforced concrete was common then. It was affordable and available. Bricks and steel were still scarce. The church became part of the Live Architecture show at Lansbury.
However, not everyone loved it. One critic described it as pretentious and timid. He also called it aggressive and flaccid. He saw it as a freestanding crushing bathos.
Despite mixed reviews, Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Catholic Church remains a significant landmark. It showcases a unique blend of architectural styles. Its history connects it to the Festival of Britain. It stands as a testament to faith. Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Catholic Church continues to serve its community. It is a place of worship and a reminder of the past.