BRONDESBURY, Brent, London – St Mary’s Chapel. 

Located in the Roman Catholic part of Kilburn Cemetery, this is the only work known to the author that Fellowes Prynne designed for the Roman Catholic Church.  From the outside, this building bears one of the main Fellowes Prynne chapel hallmarks – the apsidal sanctuary. This bears comparison with the chapel at Saltash Cottage Hospital, as well as numerous Lady Chapels. This apse, however, is not rounded, but takes a part-octagonal form. Inside, this form is clearly evident. However, the appearance in all other respects is nothing like anything I have seen. It is predominantly in pale-coloured stonework and marble, and features a marble altar and reredos which I would never have attributed to Fellowes Prynne if I had not had evidence that he designed the chapel.

The Builder  of 30 May 1891 described the chapel thus:

The foundation-stone of the new Chapel of St. Mary-the-Virgin, Brondesbury, was laid on Tuesday last by the Bishop of Marlborough. The chapel is being built in connexion with Miss Clarke’s ladies’ school in Brondesbury Park, and is the gift of one of the former pupils, Miss Agatha Skinner. The design is simple late thirteenth-century work, with apsidal chancel end.  The windows are deeply recessed, with drop arches and shafted jambs internally. The altar is raised seven steps from the nave floor level. The sanctuary steps are of white Sicilian marble, and the floor is designed to be carried out in glass mosaic. The roof is open-timbered, the principals being carried on to caps of shafted corbels. Accommodation is arranged for 180 adults. A partially-glazed corridor, fitted with seats and flower shelves, connects the chapel with the school. The materials used are Box Ground and Corsham Down stone and red brickwork. The estimated cost of the building, with necessary fittings, is about £2,500.  The architect is Mr. Geo. H. Fellowes Prynne, A.R.I.B.A., of 10, Torrington-square, London.  The builders are Messrs. J. & C. Bowyer, of Upper Norwood.