This site is dedicated to Sir Walter Tapper, and the fabulous architecture that he left us.

 

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St Erkenwald's History


Compared to the vast majority of churches, St Erkenwald's had rather a short and sorry life. It was never completed to Tapper's original plans, and, following a period without an incumbent in the late 1950s/early 1960s, the church's usage fell into steady decline.


The uniqueness of this building, which still inspires many people after it's demolition, was unfortunately viewed as ugly and an eyesore by what was probably the majority! Had the church been completed, it's overall appeal would have been far greater, as the unusual proportions of the building would have been corrected by the tower.


These next few pages of history will tell just part of the St Erkenwald's story.


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Sir Walter Tapper ~ Sir Walter J. Tapper ~ Gothic Revivalist Architect ~ St Erkenwald, Southend-on-Sea ~ Church of the Annunciation, Bryanston Street ~ Church of the Ascension, Malvern Link ~ Guildford Grammar School Chapel