Built as a village hall, the building has little architectural or townscape significance.

Borough Green is a product of the railway, and expanded rapidly in the twentieth century. There was a travelling mission from the 1920s, with Mass said in various private houses. During World War II Mass was said at a large house, Pine Close, in Crouch Lane, requisitioned by the RAF. The village hall had been built in 1927, by the village coalman, a Mr Kitney. It was put to multiple uses and from the late 1940s was used for Mass, being purchased by the Diocese of Southwark in 1957. Other uses continued until the new village hall was completed in 1965. From the early days of acquisition thoughts turned to redevelopment with a permanent church but lack of funds precluded this until recently and it is now anticipated that a new church will be built on the site, with plans being drawn up by Burns Guthrie & Partners.

Description

The church was built as a village hall and is of inferior construction, rendered externally and plastered internally. It has a lightweight steel frame, disguised by thin pilasters internally. The plan is a basic rectangle under a pitched roof running end to end and a lean-to at the north end. Large rectangular Crittall-type windows, some with smaller opening lights. There are double doors to the front, with a simple wooden canopy, but generally the entrance used is a door into a lobby towards the north end of the building. Inside, the altar (originally set against the north wall) is set against the long west wall, with upholstered chairs arranged on three sides. None of the fittings is of artistic or historic merit.

Heritage Details