St Martin's Church, Knebworth

St Martin's Church is an active Anglican church in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England. The building, which is designated grade II*,[1] was designed by Edwin Lutyens in an Italianate style. It is constructed in brick.

St Martin's Church, Knebworth
The west front
St Martin's Church, Knebworth is located in Hertfordshire
St Martin's Church, Knebworth
St Martin's Church, Knebworth
Shown within Hertfordshire
51°51′55″N 0°10′54″W / 51.8654°N 0.1818°W / 51.8654; -0.1818
DenominationChurch of England
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II* listed
Architect(s)Edwin Lutyens, Albert Richardson
StyleNeoclassical
Completed20th century
Administration
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseSt Albans
ArchdeaconryHertford
Clergy
RectorRev Charles King

History

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The church was built to serve the expanding settlement on the Great North Road near Knebworth railway station, over a mile from the medieval parish church St Mary and St Thomas. Before World War I there was a plan by the local landowners, the Bulwer-Lytton family, to develop Knebworth as a type of garden village. This plan was only partly realised, but it resulted in several commissions for Lutyens including a clubhouse for the local golf course and Homewood, a dower house for his mother-in-law, Edith Bulwer-Lytton, Countess of Lytton.[2]

Construction began in 1914, but the building was not completed according to the architect's intentions. When the church was consecrated in 1915, it was in an incomplete state because of cutbacks caused by World War I. The west front was added in the 1960s and was designed by Sir Albert Richardson. Richardson did not follow Lutyens' intention to give the church a portico, but his contribution has been described as "harmonious".[1]

Interior

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The plastered interior features limited use of Portland stone. The aisles are separated from the nave by small arches on Tuscan columns.[3]

The organ dates from the 1960s. Its pipes are in "tubs" on each site of the chancel entrance.[4]

Conservation

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On 27 May 1968, the church was designated a grade II* listed building.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Church of Saint Martin". Historic England.
  2. ^ Skelton, Tim (2009). "Visit to Knebworth Village". The Lutyens Trust. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b Historic England. "Church of St Martin (1174371)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  4. ^ "R01764". National Pipe Organ Register. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
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