A 1960s church of modest design, the testing ground for the larger and more structurally adventurous St Teresa’s, Aspley (qv). The church has some furnishings attributed to David John and pews from Nottingham Cathedral.

St Hugh’s started life in the late 1940s as a chapel-of-ease to St Teresa’s, Aspley (qv), housed in a temporary wooden building. By the end of the 1950s it was apparent that the wooden churches both at Aspley and Bilborough were no longer fit for purpose, and it was decided to replace them. The architect for both was John Rochford of Sheffield, and the unusual form of roof construction used was, according to the parish history, inspired by a visit by the church choirmaster to the Commonwealth Hall at the Scott-Bader Chemicals Factory in Wellingborough. St Hugh’s was the first to be built, at a modest cost of £16,870, and its design was perhaps the testing ground for the larger and more structurally adventurous St Teresa’s. The church was designed to seat 300. Building started in April 1963 and was completed by March 1964. The old church was retained and renovated as a hall. St Hugh’s has been a separate parish since 1968, and a presbytery has since been built.

Description

The church consists of four parabolic timber shell roofs supported at the centre points of each of the outer walls and arranged to throw concealed light onto the main focus, the altar and sanctuary. The nave is approximately square on plan, enclosed by red brick external walls, with high level clerestory glazing with abstract coloured glass diffusing the light.  The windows have been renewed in uPVC. Ancillary accommodation is concentrated on one side. The internal walls are plastered, and the soffits of the roof of varnished timber  boarding. There is an original canopy and crucifix over the altar, which has been brought forward. The Stations and a teak figure of Our Lady are by David John. The benches are from Nottingham Cathedral, having been ejected from there at the time of Weightman & Bullen’s 1962 renovations.

Entry amended by AHP 02.09.2023

Heritage Details