Duplicate Churches

[mystifier]

I am currently compiling the history of a few local churches from a local history point-of-view.

You would be forgiven for thinking that these two pictures are the opposite sides of the same church; in fact, the top one is St Modwen's in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, the bottom one is St Alkmund's in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

They are almost identical, bar a few differences to suit their respective locations and a few additions over the years, designed and built under the supervision of architect and builder William Smith, and his brother Richard.

I had always imagined that churches were all unique so it was quite a revelation. I would be interested to know if there are any more examples of duplicate churches.

I would also like to take a few photos of Saint Modwen's and have someone take the same photos of Saint Alkmund's if anyone is close enough (and interested enough!).

Kevin

[ammonite]

I suspect if you follow churches done by the same architect you will find quite a few similarities. 

Have you looked at the website http://www.churchplansonline.org/, which has loads of, well exactly what the title of site says, church plans!

Having a quick check on there for the architect you mention above, there is quite a large listing of his works and although I have only looked down the first page the Church of st Lukes at Chesterton Cambridge also has the curved apse feature.

There is also the various acts passed in the 18th century as the population grew to build new churces and many of these were done to a fairly standard plan and by the same architects and just built in different places. 

You will probably find it more in the 18th and 19th century churches as there was a greater degree of communication and architects worked more on nation wide commisions plus there has been less time over the intervening centuries for changes to the structure.

Sorry for the essay but it is a favourite subject of mine as I am a buildings conservator.

[mystifier]

Thanks Ammonite, that is an interesting website.

It does though, list the architect as Joseph Mitchell and the building as 1841-1866. I am fairly positive (if that is not an oxymoron) that it was William Smith and that work started in 1719 (after St Alkmund's had been completed). He died in 1724 before the church was fully completed.

There was later work carried out in the mid-nineteenth century, including the insertion of stained glass windows (which I am waiting for a sunny day to photo from the inside) and extension to the apse completed in 1865/66 (which can be seen in the photo) which probably accounts for the confused records.

It is still strange to think of many churches of the same design around the country. The thing I have always liked about churches is their uniqueness. 

Kevin

[mystifier]

Doh! It is my mistake. The entry in churchplansonline is for the PARISH of Saint Modwen but actually shows Christ Church which is a couple of miles away.

Saint Modwen's, surprisingly, is not featured.