St Wilfrid's Church, Brighton

St Wilfrid's Church is a brick building on Elm Grove that combines Gothic elements with 1930s modern design. It features a distinctive tower with a saddleback roof and narrow side aisles throughout the interior.

Architect Harry Stuart Goodhart-Rendel designed the building in the 1930s to replace a temporary tin structure serving the growing Elm Grove community. This shift marked the transition from temporary to permanent structures for the neighborhood.

Sir John Betjeman recognized the church as an exemplar of 1930s ecclesiastical architecture, highlighting its significance in British architectural development.

The building was converted into residential flats after blue asbestos was discovered in 1980, though its protected exterior structure was maintained. The interior is now private residential space, but the architectural features remain visible from outside.

A large mural by Hans Feibusch was created inside the building between 1940 and 1941, adding significant artistic value. This artwork represents a notable example of artistic decoration that was incorporated into British churches during that period.

Location: Brighton and Hove

Architects: Harry Stuart Goodhart-Rendel

Architectural style: eclecticism

GPS coordinates: 50.83170,-0.12100

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:43