By Helen Wright, Reporter
Saturday, July 27, 2013
12:00 PM
AN EXTRAORDINARY church in Old Hatfield has been granted a special preservation order to protect it.
Marychurch, in Salisbury Square, boasts an unusual circular shape and stained glass decoration – and received the Grade II listed building status from English Heritage.
An anonymous admirer of the brown brick building put it forward for the award as no-one at the church did it themselves.
This week the man who designed it said he was “very surprised” at its listing. Architect George Mathers drew up the designs of the Roman Catholic church, which was completed in 1970.
One of the most unique aspects of the church is the interior decoration which is created using Buckfast glass, thick slabs of coloured glass held together with a concrete matrix, depicting images of the saints.
It also charts the rising and setting of the sun, which shines through the glass and illuminates the church.
Mr Mathers, now living in Cheltenham, said: “We [the team who built the church] are very pleased about it.
“I’m very surprised actually that someone thought it was old enough to be considered for the list.
“Usually only antique or historical buildings are included, and not normally during the architects lifetime.”
Patricia Roberts, of English Heritage, said the church had to demonstrate architectural interest, historic interest, and the use of high quality decoration and fittings to make it onto the list.
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