Architecture
Architecturally, it is an expression of the Gothic Revival. It is described by K. Theodore Hoppen, in his volume of the New Oxford History of England, as Butterfield's "savage masterpiece", while Ian Nairn said "To describe a church as an orgasm is bound to offend someone; yet this building can only be understood in terms of compelling, overwhelming passion".
Butterfield departed considerably from medieval Gothic practice. He used red brick for the church, a material long out of use in London, with the walls banded and patterned in black brick, and the spire banded with stone, making it the first example of 'permanent polychrome' in the city. The interior is richly patterned, with inlays of marble and tile.
The east wall of the chancel is covered by a series of painting on gilded boards, the work of Ninian Comper and a restoration of earlier work by William Dyce. The Lady Chapel is also by Comper. The church is a Grade I listed building.
Read more about this topic: All Saints, Margaret Street
Famous quotes containing the word architecture:
“They can do without architecture who have no olives nor wines in the cellar.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Defaced ruins of architecture and statuary, like the wrinkles of decrepitude of a once beautiful woman, only make one regret that one did not see them when they were enchanting.”
—Horace Walpole (1717–1797)