The church occupies a former village hall. It is designed in the Queen Anne style much favoured in the late 1880s. Its exterior has been subjected to various unsympathetic alterations, but the building nevertheless makes a positive contribution to the conservation area in which it is located. The site is identified in the Council’s Conservation Area Appraisal as part of an Area of High Archaeological Potential.

*Update: Church now closed and converted to dance studios*

In 1967 there were reported to be about eighty Catholics in and around Kingsclere. Since the early 1950s Mass had been said in the stables of Park House, but when they ceased to be available a disused Anglican school was borrowed. By a conveyance dated 22 August 1969 a former village hall known as the Albert Hall built in 1886 from designs by P. Dollar (Reading Mercury, 19 June 1886) was acquired by the diocese for £6,000 and converted for use as a church.

Description

The church occupies a former village hall. It is designed in the Queen Anne style much favoured in the late 1880s, of red brick with stone dressings. Central entrance within lean-to single storey structure at front, with stone pilastered surround, arch with keystone, lintel with carved rinceau detail, pediment crudely rebuilt in brick. Main design above with elevation divided into compartments separated by brick pilasters, cornices etc. Central decorative stone panel dated 1886 and raised semi-circular brick pediment. Plainer flank elevations with gabled mullion and transom windows (replaced in uPVC). Modern concrete tile roof and flat roof additions (sacristy?) at the rear. Interior not inspected.

Entry amended by AHP 9.10.2026

Heritage Details