About the church

Built: 1955 - 56
Architect: W H Hobday & F J Maynard
Listing: not listed

St Michael's church is located on Champion Crescent in the lower part of Sydenham. Champion Crescent forms an island, which houses the church, school and the adjacent vicarage.

The present church of St Michael and All Angels was constructed after the Second World War following the destruction of the original 1868 building due to war damage.

Accommodation comprises nave and chancel, with a vestibule at the west end. From the vestibule, lead toilets and a staircase up to the gallery in which the organ is located. At the north east side is a chapel, which is matched by a vestry on the south east. The church also adjoins the church hall on the south side.

The construction comprises a series of reinforced concrete portal frames bridged by concrete purlins and roofed using slates. Two side aisles are created below flat roofs which are finished with asphalt. The principal east and west elevations, above the single storey aisles, are of full height glazing set between the portal frames. The east and west elevations are of brickwork. Flooring, generally, is of thermoplastic tiles leading to a chancel which is raised two steps from the nave. The sanctuary itself is raised by one step; the altar again is on a dais of two further steps.

The font is located below the organ gallery and is finished with a carved font cover.