Hidden behind Kennington Park stands St Agnes RC Church a testament to resilience. Its story begins not with a single stone but with a vision. A vision realized in 1875 by George Gilbert Scott Jr. This Neo-Gothic masterpiece could seat 1000 people. St Agnes RC Church wasn’t just a building it was a community hub.
Sadly World War II brought destruction. Bombs fell. The church was severely damaged. But like the phoenix from the ashes St Agnes RC Church rose again. Halliday and Greenwood rebuilt it in 1956. Architect Ralph Covell guided the project. The resulting structure incorporated elements from the original building. A triptych reredos a stunning piece of art based on a German original remained a treasured artifact.
Today St Agnes RC Church continues to serve its community. The building houses much more than a sanctuary. It includes a baptistry under the west gallery and organ loft. There’s a Lady Chapel on the northeast side an office meeting space and a church hall. All within a small churchyard. The main body of the church features a nave and chancel under a single pitched roof.
The church’s musical heritage is rich. A two-manual choir organ built by N P Mander graces the organ loft. It has been a feature since 1961. A harmonium from 1903 adds its unique timbre to festal services particularly during Christmas. In 2018 a magnificent new four-manual nave organ was installed. It boasts 67 stops and thumb pistons.
The church’s history isn’t just about stone and wood. It is about the people who worshipped within its walls. It is about the clergy who guided their flock. Father Robert Wright became Vicar in April 2023. Father Simon Acland serves as Honorary Assistant Priest. His lineage connects him to Sir Jack Acland a notable New Zealand politician. St Agnes RC Church. A place of worship a place of history a place of community.