St Martin's Church, Knebworth
St Martin's Church is an active Anglican church in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England. The building, which is designated grade II*,[1] was designed by Edwin Lutyens in an Italianate style. It is constructed in brick. The plastered interior features limited use of Portland stone.
| St Martin's Church, Knebworth | |
|---|---|
 Interior | |
  St Martin's Church, Knebworth Shown within Hertfordshire | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Architect(s) | Edwin Lutyens, Albert Richardson |
| Completed | 20th century |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Hertford |
| Diocese | St Albans |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Clergy | |
| Rector | Rev Jim Pye |
History
The church was built to serve the expanding settlement on the Great North Road near Knebworth railway station, over a mile from the medieval parish church St Mary and St Thomas. Lutyens' wife came from Knebworth, and he carried out other commissions in the area, including a clubhouse for the local golf course and a house for his mother-in-law, Edith Villiers, Countess of Lytton.
Construction began in 1914, but the building was not completed according to the architect's intentions. When the church was consecrated in 1915, it was in an incomplete state because of cutbacks caused by the First World War. The west front was added in the 1960s and was designed by Sir Albert Richardson. Richardson did not follow Lutyens' intention to give the church a portico, but his contribution has been described as "harmonious".[1]
On 27 May 1968, the church was designated a grade II* listed building.[2]
See also
References
- "Church of Saint Martin". Historic England.
- Historic England. "Church of St Martin (1174371)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
