St Raphael's Church, Catholic church in Surbiton, England
St. Raphael's Church is a Catholic church in Surbiton featuring an Italianate design with a central tower, round arched windows, and traditional Doric columns along its Portsmouth Road facade. The building houses a burial vault beneath the high altar where members of the Savile family rest.
Alexander Raphael, the first Catholic sheriff of London since the Reformation, commissioned architect Charles Parker to build this private chapel in 1847. The structure rose during a period when the Catholic community in England was regaining presence and influence.
The interior displays Minton floor tiles and stained glass windows created by Mayer of Munich that showcase Victorian craftsmanship. These decorative elements remain a visible part of how the space expresses religious and artistic values of that era.
Plan your visit by checking opening times in advance, as this is an active place of worship with regular services. The Portsmouth Road location makes the building easy to find and access.
A memorial plaque honors Lady Anne Savile, who died in 1927 during an attempt to cross the Atlantic by aircraft. This unusual tribute links the church to a remarkable episode in early aviation history.
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