This is the interesting history starting back in 1886 that caused this 1970's brutalist structure to be here today. It is sometimes dubbed Torquay's ugliest building, but all architectural icons that tend to start off ugly, often end up as cherished parts of our landscape.
In August 2024 I visited Torquay to finish off a series of posts with some photos of the Singer mausoleum, and to make more of the trip I visited two very interesting Torquay churches that were on my to do list. This one is the first, and very unusual it is. The second one I will keep under wraps for now and it will follow soon. There is around a hundred years in age between them, and this first one would have looked like Science Fiction at the time the other church was built.
The striking high tower of Central Church, crowned with three crosses to signify the union of three churches, dominates the Torquay skyline and can be seen over a wide area. Built in 1976 it is a joint Methodist and United Reformed Church. With its multi-functional accommodation, it has become a busy centre for services, gatherings of all types, concerts and meetings. The congregation is cosmopolitan, coming as many do from other denominations, and all feel comfortable within its walls. Edward Narracott, Tanner and André were appointed architects in December 1971.
Tenders were invited for the construction of the new building. That of Currall, Lewis and Martin Ltd. of Birmingham was accepted.
External walls rise off a podium of limestone recovered from the walls of Belgrave church which used to occupy this site; all external facings are in white precast fluted stone.
A special feature is the "screen to the clouds", consisting of white tracery surrounding multi-coloured glass for interior lighting and above the building itself open tracery rising to thirty metres and terminating in twin crosses surmounted by a single cross to symbolise the uniting of the two churches in Christ. The lancet-shaped windows in bronzed aluminium frames are directed away from high noise levels. All external maintenance is cut to an absolute minimum.
The Church is designed on an elongated octagonal plan and will seat 350 with a sliding partition connecting to the Hall which seats a further 350. This section is surrounded by side rooms to obviate traffic noise. These rooms are used for various meetings and by various groups. A three-bedroomed flat forms the roof of the covered car park. The Hall is high enough to be used for championship badminton. Each section is independent so any one part can be closed off to allow different activities to carry on without inconvenience to each other.
The glazing of the Church is in thick multi-coloured glass depicting the Seven Ages of Man, and designed by Peter Tysoe.
The Church and Hall are decorated to conform so they can be seen as a whole when used together; the walls are dove grey, ceilings cherry red in white surrounds, that of the church has additional beech ribs. The floor is deep brown wood block; the dais of the church is carpeted in olive green. The stage is surrounded by oatmeal curtaining. All fittings throughout have been designed by the architects using mostly mahogany and stainless steel.
Central Church was built on the site of the former Belgrave Church, the remains of which can be seen adjoining the car park. There is the remains of an arch visible in this photo below.
In the Autumn of 1866 Mr. Joshua Wilson of Tunbridge Wells came to Torquay on a visit. He was appalled at the lack of Nonconformist witness in Torre and started a subscription list with the view to erecting a church. The response encouraged him to purchase a plot of land in Belgrave Road, occupied by a garden nursery, and erect a temporary chapel in 1867 which became a Congregational Church.
This temporary chapel was then later sold.
Building News - Friday 08 March 1872
Temporary Church or Chapel.
TO be SOLD, with immediate possession, the BELGRAVE TEMPORARY CHURCH, Torquay, erected five years since. The body of the Church is 60ft. x 46ft., seated for about 500 persons. The Building is constructed with timber framing (bolted together for easy removal and re-erection) covered externally and internally with boarding having felt between, the roofs are covered with zinc on boarding and felt.
In addition to the Church proper, there is a schoolroom separated from the building by movable shutters; there are also two double entrance porches, vestry, and two water. closets. The building is furnished with ornamental backed forms, platform, desk, gas fittings, stoves,&c., which may be taken with the building or left. The whole is very substantial and in good repair, and thoroughly warmed, ventilated, and lighted.
Further particulars may be obtained from the Architect, E. Appleton, Esq., Torquay, to whom offers for purchase are to be made. Torquay, Jan. 4, 1872.
In 1869 the foundations were laid of a permanent church in Tor Hill Road and in 1870 the new church was opened, built by Mr. Matchum to the design of Mr. J. W. Rowell at a cost of £5,920 including the organ.
Reading Mercury - Saturday 03 December 1870
BELGRAVE CHAPEL TORQUAY.
The Rev. R. Bulmer, who was for some years the highly respected Minister of the Congregational Chapel, Castle-street, Reading, has commenced his labours at Belgrave Chapel, Torquay. The building was opened for Divine Worship on Thursday, the 24th ult. The church is a Gothic structure of the early decorated period, and is built of Bath stone, supported by cast-iron ornamental columns. It has tower 90 feet high, and there are four entrances to the building. Three windows at the east end are filled with stained glass, the centre one bearing an inscription to the late minister, the Rev. Dr.Vaughan. The pulpit is of Caen stone, beautifully carved. Accommodation is provided for thousand persons, and the entire cost of the church, including the site, is £6,000. (£376,000 today)
Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 15 May 1942
“TORQUAY BOMBED” Berlin radio claimed to-day that shipping at Torquay and in the Lyme estuary was bombed last night, and that 7000 tons of shipping was sunk.
In 1942 Belgrave church suffered a considerable bomb blast, it was restored between 1947 and 1951 although structural scars remained which began to give trouble in the 1960's, and this decided the congregation to consider a more modern building, and a development company was consulted. It was at this juncture that conversations took place with the members of Union Street and Market Street with a view to combining in a scheme to build a new church. Central Church Torquay
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo - Monday 23 August 1976
An historic event!
Most readers will have seen the unique architecture of the rebuilt
CENTRAL CHURCH TORQUAY
at the crossroads in Tor Hill Road which is to be officially opened on Saturday September the 4th.
Aberdeen Evening Express - Saturday 11 December 1976
SUNDAY BBC1
6.55 - SONGS OF PRAISE From the Central Church, Torquay
Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 12 July 1978
Central Church Torquay - farsighted
SIR - On a recent visit to Torquay I visited a very ultra modern church. Now to most people myself included one immediately pictures an ugly piece of modern architecture looking anything but a dignified place of worship. Not so with this building It is almost stark in appearance but its distinct clean-cut lines fit in with everything around it. The stained glass windows are just a mixture of colours cleverly blended........This generation should and indeed will be justly proud of this church and the far-sighted people who run it. The most important aspect is that there are three churches combined working together seven days a week for the good of God and the people.
It looks after everyone; something for everyone from babies, infants, teenagers, and sees the disabled can arrive in their wheelchairs without aid or embarrassment. The teenagers have a club and disco and they are encouraged in age concern and helping all and sundry. The interior is again very stark but with taste. What is more important it was built with enjoyment in mind of worship, music, and drama.
Yes, a truly beautiful working monument; people combining their different beliefs in a truly wonderful way. This is what is so badly needed the world over. So many churches and chapels work so hard with so little and disheartening results. When visiting Torquay this is a must to see, an inspiration to all - (Mrs) M D Olivant, Fairmont Road Grimsby:
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo - Tuesday 10 May 1988
Jaffa shows he's still a maestro
MUSICAL nostalgia was provided at the Central Church Torquay by the almost legendary Max Jaffa and his celebrated contralto Jean Grayston. They were accompanied by the eminent Exeter-based musician David Cawthra who also played several solos.
Memories of Grand Hotel were heightened by Mr Jaffa's choice of solos. Mendelssohn’s On Wings Of Song was played with the silky tone that brought this violinist such popular acclaim while Brahms' fifth Hungarian Dance and Monti's Czardas showed that technical skill has not deserted him with the passing years.
Eloquent
The use of the mute in Brahms' Cradle Song and Toselli's famous Serenade brought out the mellow quality of Mr Jaffa's playing, and the Meditation from Massenet's opera Thais was eloquently sentimental.
An arrangement by Mr Jaffa's old colleague Jack Byfield of Jeannie With The Light Brown Hair extended the simple song into an intriguing dialogue between violin and piano.
Jean Grayston was in fine voice. She has a sweetness of tone that allows her to tackle songs written for sopranos as she showed clearly in Haydn's setting of My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair and two items from Viennese operetta..............This concert marked the launching of the Devon County Silver Jubilee Appeal on behalf of Help the Aged
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo - Friday 18 October 1991
'Missa Solemnis' in November
Choral society prepare for busy season
FOLLOWING what was probably the most musically successful season in the choir's history Paignton and South Devon Choral Society are embarking on their 1991/92 season with an equally stimulating programme.
Rehearsals are well under way for the first concert which will be the Beethoven Mass in D, the Missa Solemnis to be performed on Saturday November 16 at Central Church Torquay. Soloists will include the well known soprano Julie Kennard who will be making a return visit and the concert will be accompanied as usual by the Festival Orchestra.
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo - Saturday 03 April 1993
church news extra
Cooking demo to aid the homeless
FOR an evening of food and fun, Torquay’s Central Church is the place to be next Tuesday.
Doug Fancourt will be giving one of his popular Chinese cookery demonstrations and all funds go to the hostel for the homeless in Factory Row.
Described as “the West Country's leading Caucasian Chinese cook” Doug is a seasoned entertainer with a bubbly personality who blends cooking skills with humour and Christian witness and has raised thousands of pounds for charity. Tickets at £3 are available.
Devon Live - 27th February 2023
A building in Torquay has been labelled the 10th ugliest building in the entire UK and a 'crime against architecture' by photography experts. Central Church in Torquay has been singled out for its brutalist concrete lattice spire - a modern take on the traditional church spire.
The landmark features on a list of the 10 ugliest buildings across the UK collated by photography experts at ParrotPrint.com. The buildings on this list are said to have a lack of design, and the architects of these buildings have replaced aesthetic pleasure with functionalism; they look cheap, quick, and ugly.
Personally I disagree, as I have photographed many brutalist buildings and what I see here is well designed, fit for purpose and critically, well maintained. When new it was white and I admit it would benefit from a jet wash of the exterior surface, but what do you think?
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