I am the Vicar of St Edmund’s church in Allestree. St Nicholas’ church Allestree is the other Anglican church in Allestree – SK336388 – website. William has just retired after being Vicar there for 23 years. I can safely say I will not do 23 years at St Edmund’s. I wish him a peaceful retirement.
St Edmund has 22 lines in Pevsner, St Nicholas has 7. I will quote him in full … “1957-8 by Peter Woore. Simplified Gothic with a small SW saddleback tower. Concrete frame clad in brick. The vaulted S porch and other detailing exhibit the interest in texture and detail seen in pre-war work of the parent Naylor & Sale partnership. Arcades and processional aisles, vaulted chancel lit by triangular windows, all exposed concrete.”
It felt a light church, a spacious church, a church readily adaptable to all sorts of worship. I like the way the liturgical colours are used.
Interesting to see how they have coped with the problem of steps, but it is sad that a church built so recently has such obstacles for the less-abled (both inside and out).
The font is interesting, and I would love to know more about it.
The church complex seemed very busy – Children’s Society Coffee Morning in one hall, loud toddler group in another, and even louder exercise group in a third. I said hello to the administrator and went into the church – I’m not sure I could have got in if I hadn’t known who to ask.
Is it somewhat ironic if St N has a busy building in the week but the church is not accessible, while St E has a (usually) accessible church but with far less going on? Can we find a middle way? How do we work better together in serving our estate?