Mr. C. J. Kneen, F.R.I.C.S., L.R.I.B.A.
[Extracted from Brochure for the Consecration 1967]
Brochure issued to commemorate the Consecration of the new Church on the 20th April 1967 by the Rt. Rev. Eric Gordon, M.A., Lord Bishop.
Vicar: Rev. P. C. H. Matthews, M.A.
WE OPEN WITH A TRIBUTE to Mr. C. J. Kneen, F.R.I.C.S., L.R.I.B.A., of Messrs. Davidson, Marsh & Co., who was responsible for the design and construction of this new building.
Mr. C. J. Kneen, F.R.I.C.S., L.R.I.B.A.
The architectural features and the internal fabric are fully described in this brochure and these, with the appearance of the completed building both internally and externally, show the care and skill which he brought to his task.
We would refer not only to his skill and competence as an architect, which this building reveals, but also to the personal interest which must have been his, in rebuilding the Church in which he had been baptised and worshipped, and at which his father the late Mr. Claude Kneen had been a warden for many years.
An acknowledgement must also be made of the additional time and trouble involved by his attendance so frequently in the evenings at Church Meetings at which plans were presented to us at certain stages, and the patience with which he listened to the varying ideas which were put.
The function of the architect in the design and construction of a new Church at a time when others in Douglas were being closed, presented a challenge to him, as it does to us who called for it to be built. We are extremely proud of what has been produced and in thanking and congratulating Mr. Kneen, we trust he will share this pride for many years to come.
The building was designed in the decorative style of the 14th century and was of iron. Although the nature of the structure indicated that this building was intended only to be a temporary one, yet it continued to serve its people down to September 1965 - well beyond the span of its expected life. By then, as a building, it barely stood but those who worshipped there realised that while the fabric of the building was being more and more speedily destroyed by time and the elements, yet the corporate worship and the spirit of the people were as strong and as fresh as ever.
These features had become apparent long before 1965 - for many years the Church gloried in the appellation 'The Tin Tab'. Strange to say, unsightly though it was, its appearance offended no one and many people in this town will like to be reminded by a photograph such as this of happy memories of All Saints Church as it was.
The Tin Tab - old Church of All Saints
As far back as 1938, the state of the building had become such that further repairs would have been useless and a decision had to be made between abandoning the Church completely or rebuilding. No other course was possible. After much consideration and some doubt, the momentous decision was taken. There were many considerations against the proposal to rebuild but the happiness and usefulness of ehe Church the strength of the Sunday School the increase in the residential population in this area. all joined forees with the faith of the people who worshipped there to lead to this conclusion.
A Building Fund was then opened, which, subject only to a break during hostilities, has continued ever since. This Fund received a welcome boost when, on the eve of All Saints Day in October 1948, the 50th Anniversary of the Church was celebrated and again in 1960 when the sum of £1,500 was raised at a bazaar held that year. By this time the state of the building had become very much worse and the concern was whether it would last long enough to enable the Building Fund to reach a figure sufficient to justify entering into the commitment of a new building. These additions to the Fund were very valuable, both in amount and encouragement, but the progress of the Fund over the years shows beyond doubt that it has been the continuous striving, day by day, for the last twenty years which has produced the money required. Nothing has been spared in the building of this new Church and its cost " in the region of £40,000" has been paid.
This calls for an expression of gratitude to those who, in 1897 saw the need and first built the Church - to those who in the years since then have maintained its usefulness especially in the later years when the condition of the building created such difficulties - to those who by donations, by the Unit Scheme or in so many other ways have altogether created the wonderful building now available to us. Acknowledgement must also be made of the support and advice given by the Church Commissioners in England and the help received from other Parishes. The measure of endeavour and the response exceeded every expectation.
The Deputy Wardens and Treasurer:
THE PLANS of the new Church have been drawn up with many considerations in mind, in particular its position in a residential area of Douglas.
Rectangular in shape, it occupies the site of the old Church, with its east end abutting Selbourne Road and facing the Church Hall, the west end facing Primrose Avenue and the north side running parallel with Alexander Drive. The main entrance is from Alexander Drive by way of a porch at the west end of the north side. A bell tower rises above this porch, up to about 50 feet. With seating accommodation for 350, the Church is 108 feet long and 40 feet wide.
The nave chancel and sanctuary maintain a constant width from end to end. The centre aisle is 8 feet wide and the south aisle 6 feet wide.
The organ is positioned at the rear of the Choir on the south side.
East end of church
The external walls of the Choir and Sanctuary are in Manx stone, contrasting with the remainder of the Church which is finished in White Irish Limestone.
West end of church
At the west end are the Church offices for Clergy, Choir and Verger, all giving common access to the nave.
The structural frame is a recent development, used for the first time in the Isle of Man in this Church. In tubular form it has been used in German Churches but here at All Saints it consists of 12 inch by 8 inch rolled hollow steel sections entirely welded at the joints, and it was chosen by the Architect for it allows the full expression of that simplicity, lightness and elegance, combined with strength, of which uncovered steel is capable. The steelwork is thus exposed, and with a painted finish this results in economy by virtue of elimination for the need to case in the main structure.
Here again, an innovation in the form of the roof has been incorporated, by covering the rolled hollow steel purlins with 14 inch thick -Weyroc -man-made timber, supported between the purlins by aluminium tees, which, with the steel purlins, introduce an interesting coffered, or panelled exposed ceiling. By the use of these materials, the Architect has, in effect, eliminated the need for roof rafters to support the dark brown Derbyshire stone Marley roof tiles, thus effecting economy in cost combined with excellent heat insulation qualities by lining above the "Weyroc" covering with aluminium faced roofing felt.
The stonework of the Choir has been carried out entirely by Messrs. Parkinson Limited of Braddan, and the result is a superb example of the Manx Stonemason's craft at its best, and Parkinsons have also been responsible for the whole of the joinery and Church furniture, with the exception of the Choir Stalls and pews which were constructed by Kelly Bros. Ltd., of Kirk Michael.
It is interesting to note that most of the internal woodwork is made of Agba African hardwood, excepting the Choir and west end wall panelling which is of American Walnut in random verticle planks. The external doors and woodwork |
Of special interest is the effective use of modern reinforced white concrete, as in the four white concrete screens high up on the four sides of the Campanile, and in the flanking screens which assist in supporting the unusual shaped canopy over the main entrance doors. These concrete screens are formed of white pre-cast concrete blocks, in a pattern which not only adds lightness to the character of the building, but also adds to the ecclesiastical-flavour of the external design.
In contrast, the large west window, incorporating Memorial windows to the R.A.F.A. and Seamen's Association in the Island, is constructed of in situ white concrete, with a reinforced concrete arched beam at the head to support the weight of the west wall above, and the roof.
The design of the Memorial windows is deep and shaded, sand blasted on polished plate glass, with the background in acid stippled obscure glass, which is a modern technique for etching the design on glass, and this method has also been used for the glass panels forming the sides of the hardwood combined Lectern and Pulpit. So far as is known, this is the first Pulpit to be formed partly of glass.
The large south window to the Sanctuary is constructed of small pre-cast and reinforced white concrete sections, dowelled together to form a magnificent window which casts south light on the Altar and Sanctuary.
The windows lighting the Nave are glazed with double rolled tinted glass blue in colour, whilst the south Sanctuary window glass colour is a pale pink.
Another unique feature is the red glass in the Cruciform window over the Altar, and the twelve windows lighting the Choir on the north side. This consists of Swedish Architectural glass 7/8 inch thick and manufactured in Gotenburg, and the twelve Choir windows are each of a different colour. This type of glass is not obtainable in Britain, and the Swedes, like the Venetians of old, have specialised in coloured glass.
The heating too, is the first installation of its type in the Island, and is a forced warm air system, oil fired, and operating through warm air being forced through two high level grilles adjacent to the heating chamber. The system obviates the need for any pipe work or radiators, as the cooler air is withdrawn through a return air grille in the floor near the chamber, where it is re-heated. The saving in capital cost of such an installation is obvious, and indeed, the whole installation cost was £950, including the automatic time clock which operates the system.
The east wall of the Sanctuary is clad with riven Pooilvaaish stone, quarried at Pooilvaaish by the Manx Marble and Granite Company, and provides the maximum contrast with the rough white plaster Reredos panel.
The pews, Choir stalls, Altar table, Font, and the whole of the Church furniture were designed by the Architect.
This is made of red-pink Francia marble, from Carrara, Italy, and was partly executed in Italy and finished in the Isle of Man, and this magnificent table was donated, along with various other items in the building. :
Constructed of grey-green Irish Limestone, imported from Northern Ireland, and having an Agba hardwood font cover with bezelled copper edge, to tone in with the pews and the main light fittings. The design on the font was sandblasted into the quarried stone and the pattern used is the ring chain of Gaut, first developed by the Norse Sculptor, Gaut Bjornson, who originated this particular form of art, and thus a link has been provided with the culture of the early Christian era in the Island.
The Organ screen is formed with 1 inch square rolled hollow steel, and the decoration on the Screen consists of star motifs made of cast aluminium, both anodised and colour enamelled. This Screen and all the other wrought-iron work in the Church was entrusted to Messrs. Platers (I.O.M.) Limited.
The Church Bell weighs 64 cwt. and was made in the foundry of Messrs. John Taylor, Loughborough, Leicestershire, one of the oldest bell founders in Britain. It is operated elecirically, to the note of D, by the touch of a switch at the foot of the Campanile, and the interval between each toll can be varied as required,
The whole of the installation is carried out in Pyrotenax copper sheathed cable for safety and length of life, and the main Nave lights are suspended from the roof by P.V.C. black cables, and the fittings themselves consist of modern cluster lights, the main fittings having copper polished tops. At the west end, diffused pelmet lighting casts a soft glow on the walnut panelling, whilst flood and spot lights have been used in the Choir so as to avoid interruption of the view to the Altar from the Nave seats.
The wall behind the Font is covered with an oil painted Mural portraying the Nativity of our Lord, and re-enacts the homage paid by the Three Kings from the east. This Mural is the work of Mrs. Dorothy Nicholson, the well known local Artist, and wife of Mr John Nicholson, R.I., who has himself acted as colour Consultant to the Architect throughout the project.
The Sanctuary floor is covered with jade green Amtico tiles, which are manufactured from practically pure Vinyl and are extremely translucent and possess great beauty.
R. K. Eason, Lu.B. (Hon. Organist.)
From the date of its erection in 1898 the organ music was provided in the former church by a small two manual instrument, then built and installed by a local firm of erection Builders, Messrs, Pollard and Co, This instrument was typical of the late Victorian era in tonal design.
In 1964 the question arose as to what type of instrument would be provided for the new building. It was decided that the materials and the workmanship in the old instrument - particularly the pipe work - were still of such good quality that they should be preserved and form the basis of a new instrument. This was done on the modern extension system of organ building. The new instrument is much more flexible, it has much more tonal reserves and all the actions are electric.
The basic ranks of pipes are: (1) Diapason, (2) Salicional, (3) Bourdon & Gedeckt, (4) Clarabella and (5) Trumpet. From this basic range of pipes the various stops are derived providing a Great Organ of eight stops, a Swell Organ of eleven stops and a Pedal Organ of five stops. There is a full complement of Thumb pistons as aids to registration.
This new instrument is giving every satisfaction. Any reference to this Organ must include an appreciation of the kind assistance afforded us by Mr. Harry Gabb, M.V.O., F.R.C.O., the Organist and Choirmaster at Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, who advised the course to be taken and prepared the specification of the work to be done. This work was carried out and the the new Organ installed by Messrs. Jardine & Co. Ltd., Organ Builders of Manchester.
The area on the north side, abutting Alexander Drive, has been landscaped as a paved Court of white and grey concrete tiles, surrounded by a low wall of local stone with white copings, and in the centre of the paved area there is a rose bed with white surround.
To the east of the Church an open grass area or precinct has been formed and the original trees have been pollarded and preserved as far as possible.
Abutting Primrose Avenue and the lane on the south side, tarmac paved parking areas have been provided, with an entrance from Primrose Avenue, both to relieve traffic congestion on the busier Main Road and also provide facilities for vehicles to draw up near the entrance for weddings, funerals and baptisms.
The original foundation stone taken from the old Church during demolition has been perpetuated by including it in the paved Court referred to above.
This is the first Anglican Church to be erected in the Island for over fifty years.
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
||
