EPW037380 ENGLAND (1932). Holy Rood Church, St Mary's Church and the town centre, Watford, 1932

One of the more pleasing and imaginative planning projects in post-war Watford is the St.Mary's Conservation Area Open Space, which is centred around the splendid old Parish Church.

Holy Rood Church is one of the finest examples of early Perpendicular Gothic Revival architecture in the country. The foundation stone was laid by Canon Keans on August 29, 1889, and the building was in use the following year. The church was finished in 1900, with the completion of the square flint tower on the north-west corner, and occupies a site bounded on three sides by Market Street, Percy Road and Exchange Road.

The materials used are local flints, Bath stone and, in the local tradition, the building is roofed in red tiles and lead. The structure was designed by the famous church architect, John Bentley (1839-1902), who was also commissioned to design Westminster Cathedral in 1894.

Holy Rood complements its Anglican near-neighbour, St. Mary's Parish Church, and sits comfortably among the Victorian and Edwardian shops and houses which surround it.

It is gratifying to know to older Watfordians that two of Watford's Grade I Listed buildings, St.Mary's Parish Church and Holy Rood RC Church remain extant despite all the post-1960 changes that have been inflicted on the town. A fine image of Watford from its prewar heyday.

An unusual view of the market town during the early Thirties when the population passed 57,000, looking ENE towards the main LMS Railway line and the Colne flood plain beyond. Two of the main buildings highlighted have become Grade I Listed in postwar years: St.Mary's Parish Church and Holy Rood RC Church.