Noteworthy Buildings In Englefield Green
ST JUDE'S CHURCH
2009 is the 150th anniversary of the building of St Jude's Church. Situated in the centre of the village the church is an important part of village life. The Vicar of Egham, the Revd James Bewley Monsell was the driving force behind the building of a church in Englefield Green, begun in 1858 and consecrated in 1859. The architect was Edward Buckton Lamb and the building in mid-14th century style was completed by James Oades & Son, builders of Egham. Outside it is of Kentish rag and Bath stone dressing and inside the walls are of coloured brick with black and white courses. The font is of Caen stone. The design of bricks on the inside walls caused derision and criticism when first built but the mellow, unusual brickwork and beautiful stained glass windows (including a "rose window") now attract many visitors. Free concerts, exhibitions, etc. are being held this year to commemorate the church's 150th anniversary. Details may be found on the website www.stiudeschurch.info The church is also open to visitors every Saturday from 2p.m - 4p.m
ROYAL INDIAN ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Opened in 1873 as a training college for engineers on Coopers Hill, this is a large Victorian building in use until recently (apart from the years between 1937 and 1946) as an educational college. During the war years it was used by London County Council as a wartime administration centre (the statue of Eros was brought here from Piccadilly Circus to keep it safe from the blitz). In 1980 it was purchased by Brunei University for its Faculty of Education and Design. The Cooper's Hill estate has now been sold to a development company but the original 19th century building will provide residential accommodation for Royal Holloway students. Cooper's Hill overlooks the Thames with Windsor Castle in the distance. The panoramic view was immortalized by Sir John Denham in 1643 in his poem "Cooper's Hill"
COMMONWEALTH AIR FORCES MEMORIAL
The six acre site for this memorial was donated to the Imperial War Graves Commission in 1949. The architect was Edward Maufe who also designed Guildford Cathedral. In contrast to the two buildings above this is a quiet, modern building exactly suited to the purpose of remembering the dead. Above the entrance are the words of the Royal Air Force motto "Per Ardiia Ad Astra". Inside the memorial are kneelers and chairs for quiet contemplation. Incised on the walls are the names of the 20,455 air crew from the Commonwealth with no known graves, who operated from bases in the UK and North West Europe and lost their lives during the Second World War. The memorial was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and was awarded the Bronze Medal of the R.I.B.A. for the best building erected in the South of England during the 8 years ending in 1955. Visitors can enjoy a wonderful view over 300 acres of National Trust land overlooking Runnymede "the birthplace of English liberty", including a beautiful stretch of the Thames, and, in the distance, Windsor Castle
ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
This magnificent 19th century building was built by Thomas Holloway, manufacturer of patent medicines and philanthropist. After he had completed building the Holloway Sanatorium in Virginia Water (a gift to the nation) his wife suggested that he build a college for the further education of women. This was to be only the second academic institution in Britain where women could receive as good an education as men. He commissioned the architect, William Henry Grassland, with instructions to base his design on the 16th century Chateau at Chambord in the Loire Valley. The resulting building was opened by Queen Victoria in 1886 (sadly after Thomas Holloway had died) and is a lasting memorial to his wife Jane. It was opened to students in 1887 (all 28 of them!) and became part of the University of London in 1900. Male undergraduates were admitted in 1965. Bedford College, another University of London college for women, merged with Royal Holloway College in 1985 and the college is now called Royal Holloway, University of London, with over 7000 students.
SIR JOHN ELVILL'S HOUSE/CASTLE HILL
When built in the 18th century Sir John Elvill's house was the principal house on Englefield Green. It was one of the first houses to be completely built in the Gothic style. The mansion was greatly extended during the 19* century and its name changed to Castle Hill. After Sir John died the house was occupied by his son-in-law the Rt. Hon.William Freemantle and his wife Lady Selina Harvey, described as "a lady eminently virtuous and kind ". Sir William held important posts in the Government during the Napoleonic wars, and was later awarded the unusual honour of the Knight Grand Cross of the Guelphs - a personal gift of William IV
Items Displayed
1. St Jude's Church, Englefield Green. Postcard dated 1905
2. St Jude's Church, Englefield Green, n.d.
2a. St Jude's chancel c.1930. The unusual brickwork can be seen behind the choir pews on the right
3. Royal Indian Engineering College, Coopers Hill, Englefield Green
4. Royal Indian Engineering College, Coopers Hill, Englefield Green Postcard dated 1904
5. Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial, Coopers Hill, Englefield Green
6. Royal Holloway College. The photograph of the Picture Gallery shows in the foreground portraits of Thomas Holloway and his wife Jane painted by William Scott in 1845
7. Sir John Elvill's House on Englefield Green. An engraving by Paul Sandby of the N.E. view in 1775
8. Engraving of the house and part of the grounds of Sir John Elvill's House 1784
Joan Wintour
January 2009
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