Description Saint Mary’s and Saint Abu Saifain’s Coptic Orthodox Church

interior of church



exterior

the exterior of church of nonconformist chapel gable end facade in romanesque style. red , beige dressed sandstone cream ashlar used define decoratively architectural features; artificial slate roof ashlar coping. centre 3 bays framed pilasters , bracketed antae continue diagonally apex surmounted short bellcote embattled cornice.

interior

two upper-storey pilasters rising doorway cornice separate 3 windows; these of equal length, long, round-headed long nook shafts, simple fluted capitals , impost band; above central window datestone, shield under round-arched hood.

the central entrance breaks forward , has wide moulded round-arched doorway voussoirs above , impost band; recessed boarded double doors. set each side small round-headed windows linking continuous impost band. each side bays similar though smaller entrance doorways similar round-headed windows above , end pilasters completing vertical composition.

the windows have decorative glazing incorporating glass in cool colours—predominantly blue, green, mauve. rendered 5-bay side elevation has round arched windows chamfered surround separated pilasters offset; renewed glazing. attached rear wing, former sunday school, retains welsh slate roof , ventilators.

interior partly converted coptic orthodox liturgical use. unusual aisled roof structure, wooden trusses rising posts set on tall slender marbled columns corinthian derived capitals, support high round arches of wooden arcade; painted boarded ceiling. wide moulded reredos arch , gallery. rear raked gallery curved , panelled front; pews on both floors retained. vestibule has glazed panels partition , swing doors quarry glazing incorporating art nouveau motifs.