Our Lady of the Assumption, Northfleet

Introduction

The current church was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1913. The church was consecrated on 5 December 1929.

History

The new site was the former horse-drawn tram depot, which had closed in 1901. The former tram manager's house became the presbytery. Alfred Tolhurst, a Catholic convert, lawyer, local politician and owner of the Red Lion cement works, donated a piece of adjoining land. The children of Alfred and Sarah Tolhurst made a donation of about £8,000 as a memorial to their parents, which covered the costs.

Between 2000 and 2003, Thomas Ford & Partners carried out structural repairs. The church was reopened on 5 December 2003, the 74th anniversary of its consecration. In 2026, 21 children made their First Holy Communion on 9 May, with a Thanksgiving Mass on 16 May.

Architecture and furnishings

Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed this church, which was built between 1913 and 1916. The church is constructed of reinforced concrete faced with brown Crowborough brick and has flat roofs. The church has a rectangular plan with a west tower and door. Inside, three-bay brick and concrete arcades have continuous mouldings unbroken by capitals.

The high reredos, designed by Scott, dates from 1953-4. The Lady Chapel altar and reredos by Scott date from 1923-4. The church has choir stalls and pews, with the pulpit placed to the side. The tower arch has a similar square frame containing an organ loft and an alternative space for the choir. Hanging pendant lights are suspended from the trabeated ceiling.