The Old Church

THE OLD CHURCH, 48, VERULAM ROAD

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1347155
Date first listed:
27-Aug-1971
List Entry Name:
The Old Church
Statutory Address:
THE OLD CHURCH, 48, VERULAM ROAD
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Location

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Archive image, may not represent current condition of site.
Date:
2004-01-05
Reference:
IOE01/03589/01
Rights:
© Mr Justin Douglas. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1347155
Date first listed:
27-Aug-1971
Date of most recent amendment:
23-Aug-2000
List Entry Name:
The Old Church
Statutory Address 1:
THE OLD CHURCH, 48, VERULAM ROAD

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
THE OLD CHURCH, 48, VERULAM ROAD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:
Hertfordshire
District:
St. Albans (District Authority)
Parish:
Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:
TL 14494 07485

Details

TL 1407 SW VERULAM ROAD
575/8/151 St Albans
575/9/151A (Northeast side)
27-AUG-71 48
The Old Church

(Formerly listed as:
VERULAM ROAD
St Albans
Christ Church)

II

Former church, now offices. 1850-56. By Charles Parker for Alexander Raphael, M.P. Converted and extended 1980s. Ashlar, with asbestos slate roof replacing former Roman pantiles. Aisled nave with SW campanile; chancel with flanking vestries and crypt below; link passage to former vicarage at rear. Italianate in style, with shallow-pitched roofs, heavily bracketed eaves, round-arched windows and carved classical capitals.
Exterior: Campanile has corner piers and 3 stages defined by bracketed bands and heavy cornice. Lower stage contains double multi-panelled doors with APXW symbol carved in stone lunette above. Upper stages have triple-arched openings, the larger belfy lights with Corinthian capitals, the middle stage Tuscan to match similar clerestory windows. Bellcote at far end of nave. Aisles have 2-light windows in Italian Renaissance style with foliated capitals. Lower vestries have wide arches, that to south with C20 doors, the large triple-arched chancel windows showing above. 1980s extensions to rear and forming L-plan wing to south are partially below ground and terminate in broken ashlar gable with fully-glazed projecting bay.
Interior: Campanile has stone stairs to belfry, and multi-panelled inner doors. Nave has been partitioned into 3 storeys but retains 3-bay arcades on Ionic columns. The arch soffits carved with foliage panels, and the blind oculi above, are now concealed in attics over the aisles. Moulded plinths and arches to campanile and chancel. Chancel has wall piers with egg and dart capitals, Corinthian windows details and 1980s stair. Roof trusses, doubled over nave and chancel, have heavy cut brackets and bosses. Clear leaded glass, with 1880s stained glass only in central E light, all undergoing restoration July 2000.
History: Built to same design as St. Raphael, Surbiton, Surrey, previously erected 1846-7, also for Alexander Raphael. Intended as an R.C. church but completed for C.of E. by Mrs. Isabella Worley. Consecrated 1859. Later used by Methodists.
This building remains of special interest despite conversion because of its Italianate ashlar exterior and intact structure. It has group value with the former vicarage to the rear.

Listing NGR: TL1449407485

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
163477
Legacy System:
LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of The Old Church

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 06-Jun-2026 at 03:12:24.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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