Archangel Church, England

The Archangel Church is an abandoned Roman Catholic church in northern England. The church was built in the 1960’s, during a period of transition within the Catholic Church. This is one of many religious buildings built at this time which feature very contemporary and experimental architecture. The church was closed nearly 10 years ago, when urgently needed roof repairs were estimated to cost over quarter of a million pounds.

The church is brightly lit from a large blue dome which is encircled with skylights; this contrasts the geometric blocky design of the rest of the church and the altar. The square skylight windows are tinted yellow and blue which cast subtle hues across the room as the sun moves in and out of the cloud cover. There is a large central pendant light hanging from the dome. Light bulbs are arranged around the square frame of this light fitting, each bulb in the centre of a reflective diamond-shape mount.

On the western wall, is a mosaic-like dalle de verre; a long wall with coloured glass set into a concrete frame. This example features mosaic-like depictions of religious scenes and iconography, including the Archangel Raphael. Light shines through the glass wall, illuminating the images and casting vivid blue and red colours across the white tile floors.

The contemporary architecture and design reflects a transitional period in Catholic churches which occurred in the 1960s. The island-like altar is positioned away from the wall, allowing the parish priest to conduct Mass while facing the congregation. As well as the main seating area, there are also mezzanine seating areas flanking the altar. This enabled the congregation to surround the altar on three sides, creating closer involvement of the faithful during Mass. This was a change from the more traditional church arrangement of an alter against the wall, and the priest commanding Mass facing away from the congregation (which would be sat behind him).