EssexHARLOWStPaul(deshillPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1 DesHill

St Paul

An iconic 20th century heritage church, the first in the New Towns, a particularly lavish 'mother church' with the large mosaic by John Piper; the Risen Christ at Emmaus.

Harlow, Essex

Opening times

Open for visitors:
9am to 3pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
9am to 11am Wednesday.
9am to 12noon Saturday.
If you are traveling to make a specific visit then please contact us to confirm that the church will be open.

Address

College Square
Harlow
Essex
CM20 1LP

The church contains a huge and captivating mosaic by John Piper having the theme of Risen Christ at Emmaus. This, Piper's first mosaic antedates in execution his massive stained glass window in Coventry Cathedral, completed in 1962. The architects Humphreys and Hurst designed a particularly lavish church as the 'mother church' of the new town. An unusual plan with a separate bell tower and out-door pulpit, the exceptionally fine and complete fittings by Hurst are complemented by John Piper’s mosaic. The largely intact interior furnishings have been described as a 'jewel box'.

A visit to St Paul’s affords a peaceful break and step back in time from the bustle of Harlow town centre and can be combined with a visit to the nearby Gibberd Gallery with other works by John Piper.

St Paul’s Harlow was built it 1959 is placed equal tenth in the National Churches Trust UK’s Best Modern Churches competition and has recently been featured in the Twentieth Century Society's book '100 Churches, 100 Years'.

  • National heritage here

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Famous connections

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Steps to enter the church or churchyard

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • Café within 500m

  • Church of England

  • Gateway Grant, £7,750, 2019

  • Our Gateway Grants fund churches developing building projects and also urgent maintenance and repair projects to help keep churches open.

Contact information

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