A simple portal-framed church, built in 1977 as part of the development of Runcorn New Town.

The parish was erected in 1969, being the first in Runcorn New Town, and was entrusted  to  the  Society  of  the  Divine  Saviour  (Salvatorians).  Mass  was  said  in various places until St Augustine’s was opened in 1977. The Castlefields area greatly expanded in the 1960s and 70s with new residential blocks being built; the population trebled between 1969 and 1983 and the church was built to accommodate this.

Description

St Augustine’s is a simple and practical church, with a pine laminated portal frame similar to that used at St Columba, Chester. The church is orientated with the sanctuary to the southwest, but for this description this will be referred to as the liturgical east end. Externally the walls are clad with blue brick, with a tiled pitched roof with low eaves. The centre of the west elevation is filled with timber-framed glazing with a central cross in red glass above the principal entrance. The entrance doors have recently (2011) been replaced with uPVC and the large window is also soon to be replaced; replica Cotswold obscured glass in double-glazed units has been used. The north elevation has four pairs of three-pane windows, also replaced with uPVC units. The south elevation is identical and is connected to the presbytery. The east elevation is plain with a simple crucifix in glass blocks.

Internally the church is lofty and bright, due to the open roof structure and use of buff fair-faced brick. The six bays are defined by the laminated portal frame. There is a gallery at the west end above a glazed timber narthex screen. The east and west walls contain paired rectangular windows with modern uPVC frames and Cotswold obscured glazing. The floor is laid with ceramic tiles, and carpet to the nave aisle and sanctuary. The sanctuary is set within a recessed bay with altar steps and has veneered altar, tabernacle stand and lectern, contemporary to the church’s construction. There is a timber crucifix on the east wall. The congregational seating is of beech benches.

Heritage Details