St John the Baptist, New Alresford

 

St Andrew, Surbiton

St Andrew is one of the earlier examples of the famous and prolific church architect Sir Arthur Blomfield, and is a short walk north from Surbiton railway station. 

The history of Surbiton is really that of the railway, which arrived in what became known as "Kingston-on-Railway" in 1838. Kingston Corporation resisted the railway passing through Kingston itself, and so the line was built a few miles to the south. The station was originally further east, but was relocated to its present position in the 1840s. This spurred the rapid development of Surbiton as a suburb, and with it came the need for a new church.

The first church, St Mark's, rapidly became too small for the congregation, and a small "iron" mission chapel was opened. This too quickly proved inadequate, so a larger permanent church was planned, on a site given by Coutts Bank. Work began in 1871, and a tower was added later in the year, as a mark of thanksgiving for the recovery of the then Prince of Wales from illness. 

Blomfield's Neo-gothic design has a west front with an apsidal baptistery, a very wide nave with narrow aisles, and large transeptal chapels flanking the chancel. The tower is effectively detached. Pevsner describes this early example of Blomfield's work as "vigorous", with bold patterning of red and yellow brick, and Bath stone dressings. The tower is the only jarring element, as it has a tall gable roof, which provides an odd appearance when viewed from the side, approaching the church from the station.

The brick patterning is particularly evident inside, with bold banding in yellow, red and cream along the walls side walls, and further geometric patterning at the east and west ends. The furnishings are mostly modern, but there is a large painted rood above the Lady Chapel, and a handsome marble font. A  charming feature is the painting of the baptistery roof, which has a ceiling of stars above a frieze depicting the story of Noah's ark, executed in a faux-mediaeval style. 

A new entrance, refectory and choir vestry was added in 2009 to the side. The church is in a joint parish with St Mark's, and the two together offer a regular pattern of services in a variety of styles, including choral eucharist at St Andrew's, alongside family and more informal services.

St Andrew, Maple Road, Surbiton KT6 4DS