Brentwood Cathedral

This is a major new building to replace an unsatisfactory 1970’s reinforced concrete extension which ran alongside a gothic revival church.

The inspiration for the new Cathedral is early Italian Renaissance crossed with the English Baroque of Sir Christopher Wren. The exterior is built from Kentish Rag stone with a Doric order of pilasters in smooth Portland stone. There is a semi-circular porch on the south elevation inspired by James Gibbs at St Mary le Strand. Above is a brick clerestorey surmounted by a cupola.

Internally the effect is of a Florentine cortile with the aisles on three sides separated from the double-height central space by a Tuscan arcade. It is a light, airy, spacious interior.

We were delighted that Brentwood Cathedral was listed Grade 2* in 2022.