Details
LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH
SS7149 LEE ROAD, Lynton
858-1/4/21 (North side)
Methodist Church
GV II*
Methodist church. 1910. By Latrobe and Weston. Rubble, with
cream ashlar dressings, some slate hanging, tile roofs.
PLAN: an unaisled 3-bay nave with W porch, transept, chancel,
and meeting hall with ancillary rooms at the E end (liturgical
W is actually SE, facing Lee Road). The church has some rich
Art Nouveau detailing, and is set gable to the street; its
right flank faces a side street which here climbs steeply, so
that the rooms at the chancel end are entered at a higher
level.
EXTERIOR: the gabled entrance has a 5-light window with
staggered transoms set in deep splayed jambs, under a dressed
stone pointed segmental arch flanked by dressed stone
buttresses with gableted heads and incised detail; to each
side are parapeted haunches in rubble, with embellished face
gables on the returns. At the lower level the buttresses step
forward to square, flat-topped terminals with detail in high
relief.
Between the buttresses is a gabled timber-framed porch set
forward from a pent roof immediately below the cill of the
central light, over a pair of plank doors including some
coloured glass, and on 2 stone steps. A high stone plinth runs
across the full width of the front. The main gable has a
saddle-back coping, with a central square pinnacle feature
with decorative terminal cross. The return to the right has
three 3-light stone mullioned windows with flush surrounds in
deep splays and under flat pointed arches to varied interlaced
and cusped tracery.
The transept, with ridge well below that of the nave, has a
coped gable over a 4-light traceried window of similar kind,
the 2 centre lights having a crenellated transom, and with a
drip-course to bold modelled stops.
To the right, slightly stepped forward, is a hipped 2-storey
range, with long casements to stone ovolo-mould mullions and
with rectilinear leading; at eaves level are a 9-light and
5-light with transom, and at the lower level a 6-light and a
small 2-light. The road level rises, and the wing dies into
the slope to the right. In the long casement 2 of the lights
are blank, with stone panels, with a coat of arms inscribed
'Aut inveniam viam aut faciam' and '1910'. Off-centre right is
a pair of part-glazed doors under a transom light to a flat
pointed segmental head, on 3+2 steps. Above the ridge is the
upper part of the gable to the main hall, and there is a small
square stack to the left, adjoining the transept.
The long return to the left of the front is simpler, with 3
windows to the nave, and a large transept light; both gables
are slate-hung, and the hall gable has a 3-light attic window.
The 'E' end has a deep swept concrete tile roof-slope over
three 3-light wood casements, and a small lean-to unit.
INTERIOR: the nave and transept interior has plastered walls
and a match-board dado on a wood floor, but very rich roof
trusses, having arch-bracing, collar, and hammer beam carried
on stone corbels, and with broad vertical 'posts'
incorporating fret designs. The transept trusses are similar
but simpler, having a lesser span. The roof is close-boarded
on 4 purlins. Drops for lighting are included, but the
original light fittings have been replaced.
The chancel arch is moulded, on paired colonnettes, with
embellished pilasters to the nave. The 'apse' is 3-sided, on
2+1 steps, with marble floor, 3 lancets, and a timber roof to
simple hammer-beam on brackets. Behind the altar is panelling,
and the skirting has a regular series of small square
apertures, presumed for ventilation. To the left of the
chancel opening is a large arch, and to the right a smaller
one giving access to the pulpit.
FITTINGS: the pews are simple pine, with 2 aisles. The pulpit
is especially rich, with carved panels and spandrels with
beaten copper decoration. The altar rail is on light
wrought-iron standards with motifs including an anchor, cross,
heart, and S.
Ancillary rooms retain much original and imaginative detail,
including a dogleg stair with embellished square newels and
turned balusters; a fine Art Nouveau fire surround with
counter-curved mantel and inserted tiles, flanked by built-in
cupboards in the vestry; in the church lounge a window with
turned baluster central support, a wide fireplace with
overmantel and green glazed tiles, and eccentric roof truss
with arch-bracing carried on a tie. The main hall has been
extendced with a broad aisle on one side.
An exceptionally fine Methodist church of the period, Latrobe
and Weston being a noted Bristol practice who often
experimented with Art Nouveau forms and detail. The church
also complements the neighbouring Town Hall (qv).
Listing NGR: SS7184249507
