Radlett

Built in 1864 and extended in 1907, so that the original became the south aisle, I pretty much wrote off Christ Church from the exterior. To my surprise - I'm not sure why - it was open, welcoming and, in my experience, unusually has some good glass. Otherwise this is a run of the mill turn of the century building but full marks for the welcome.

CHRIST CHURCH, 1864, by Smith & Son; new nave and chancel added to the N in 1907 by Oldrid Scott (GR). The older part flint with red brick, yellow brick, and stone; Oldrid Scott’s more restrained and more competent.

Radlett. It lies on the old Watling Street, by a brook that feeds the River Colne; a Roman kiln has been discovered in a sandpit here. Watling Street today divides the old churchyard from the modern church, built on a hillside terrace from which is a fine view of a well wooded green valley. Finely carved heads of kings and queens from the ancient church peep out from the walls of the new, and jutting from the wall near the doorway is an exquisite figure of an angel bearing a crown to Our Lord. In the windows are figures of St Michael, St George, and St Alban, and below a window of Christ blessing the children is a children’s corner with books and paintings and Della. Robbia plaques.

Flickr.