Building

The present church is built in an “Orthodox” or “Byzantine” design, unusual in English parish church architecture, which, in its day, was an attempt to foster a new sort of parish church style, albeit one that was short-lived. The method of building was essentially modern, with brick walls but the roof and vaulting of reinforced concrete.

The church building, consecrated in 1931, was never completed as its architect, Arthur Campbell Martin (1875-1963), intended: his proposed design incorporated a further bay at the west end of the nave, effectively doubling its current length, with, in addition, an Italianate bell tower or campanile and, at the north-east corner of the church, a Lady Chapel with access from the northern transept. The completed church would have seated about five hundred people.

The solid uncompromising external aspect of St. Olave's can seem a little daunting at first view. The plainly decorated interior is executed in orthodox Byzantine style, with a large central dome over the crossing. The scale of its internal structure brings light, shade and dimension to a surprisingly open and airy space.

The finely inlaid 18th century pulpit and the composite font in three sections came from the old St. Olave's in London, as did the two bells and some church plate. The organ was installed by Messrs Rest, Cartwright and Sons and is thought to have come from a house in Essex – hence the coat of arms and motto on the case.

Many of the beautiful altar frontals and appointments have been personally worked and presented by parishioners, as were the oak communion rails and furniture. The remarkable Stations of the Cross were given by his family as a memorial to Harry Rudolph, the first People’s Warden.

The figure of Christ in Majesty on the East wall dates from 1956; there are statues of Our Lady and of St Joseph. In the 1970s a new Hall was built, joined to the church and the present porch in Church Walk was added. In 1981 the interior was reordered to accommodate a (nearly) central nave altar.

Further reading: The “Twenty-Five” Churches of the Southwark Diocese: The Ecclesiological Society, 2002.

St Olave's Church, Church Walk, London, SW16 5JH

Fr Paul Ensor
St Olave's Vicarage, Church Walk, Mitcham, Sw16 5JH
Tel: 020 8764 2048