Listed Building: METHODIST CHURCH (1201144)

LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH SS7149 LEE ROAD, Lynton 858-1/4/21 (North side) Methodist Church GV II* Methodist church. 1910. By Latrobe and Weston. Rubble, with cream ashlar dressings, some slate hanging, tile roofs. PLAN: an unaisled 3-bay nave with W porch, transept, chancel, and meeting hall with ancillary rooms at the E end (liturgical W is actually SE, facing Lee Road). The church has some rich Art Nouveau detailing, and is set gable to the street; its right flank faces a side street which here climbs steeply, so that the rooms at the chancel end are entered at a higher level. EXTERIOR: the gabled entrance has a 5-light window with staggered transoms set in deep splayed jambs, under a dressed stone pointed segmental arch flanked by dressed stone buttresses with gableted heads and incised detail; to each side are parapeted haunches in rubble, with embellished face gables on the returns. At the lower level the buttresses step forward to square, flat-topped terminals with detail in high relief. Between the buttresses is a gabled timber-framed porch set forward from a pent roof immediately below the cill of the central light, over a pair of plank doors including some coloured glass, and on 2 stone steps. A high stone plinth runs across the full width of the front. The main gable has a saddle-back coping, with a central square pinnacle feature with decorative terminal cross. The return to the right has three 3-light stone mullioned windows with flush surrounds in deep splays and under flat pointed arches to varied interlaced and cusped tracery. The transept, with ridge well below that of the nave, has a coped gable over a 4-light traceried window of similar kind, the 2 centre lights having a crenellated transom, and with a drip-course to bold modelled stops. To the right, slightly stepped forward, is a hipped 2-storey range, with long casements to stone ovolo-mould mullions and with rectilinear leading; at eaves level are a 9-light and 5-light with transom, and at the lower level a 6-light and a small 2-light. The road level rises, and the wing dies into the slope to the right. In the long casement 2 of the lights are blank, with stone panels, with a coat of arms inscribed 'Aut inveniam viam aut faciam' and '1910'. Off-centre right is a pair of part-glazed doors under a transom light to a flat pointed segmental head, on 3+2 steps. Above the ridge is the upper part of the gable to the main hall, and there is a small square stack to the left, adjoining the transept. The long return to the left of the front is simpler, with 3 windows to the nave, and a large transept light; both gables are slate-hung, and the hall gable has a 3-light attic window. The 'E' end has a deep swept concrete tile roof-slope over three 3-light wood casements, and a small lean-to unit. INTERIOR: the nave and transept interior has plastered walls and a match-board dado on a wood floor, but very rich roof trusses, having arch-bracing, collar, and hammer beam carried on stone corbels, and with broad vertical 'posts' incorporating fret designs. The transept trusses are similar but simpler, having a lesser span. The roof is close-boarded on 4 purlins. Drops for lighting are included, but the original light fittings have been replaced. The chancel arch is moulded, on paired colonnettes, with embellished pilasters to the nave. The 'apse' is 3-sided, on 2+1 steps, with marble floor, 3 lancets, and a timber roof to simple hammer-beam on brackets. Behind the altar is panelling, and the skirting has a regular series of small square apertures, presumed for ventilation. To the left of the chancel opening is a large arch, and to the right a smaller one giving access to the pulpit. FITTINGS: the pews are simple pine, with 2 aisles. The pulpit is especially rich, with carved panels and spandrels with beaten copper decoration. The altar rail is on light wrought-iron standards with motifs including an anchor, cross, heart, and S. Ancillary rooms retain much original and imaginative detail, including a dogleg stair with embellished square newels and turned balusters; a fine Art Nouveau fire surround with counter-curved mantel and inserted tiles, flanked by built-in cupboards in the vestry; in the church lounge a window with turned baluster central support, a wide fireplace with overmantel and green glazed tiles, and eccentric roof truss with arch-bracing carried on a tie. The main hall has been extendced with a broad aisle on one side. An exceptionally fine Methodist church of the period, Latrobe and Weston being a noted Bristol practice who often experimented with Art Nouveau forms and detail. The church also complements the neighbouring Town Hall (qv). Listing NGR: SS7184249507