Church of St Silas with All Saints

Church of St Silas with All Saints is an Anglican parish church on Penton Street in Pentonville, in the London Borough of Islington. A Grade II listed Gothic Revival building from the 1860s, it is a good stop for anyone interested in Victorian church architecture away from the busier central London sights.

What is the history of the church?

The story begins with an iron mission church set up by the vicar of Saint James, Pentonville, to serve a growing district of the parish. A permanent building was planned soon afterwards, and the design is credited to the architect Samuel Sanders Teulon, who began work in 1860. The building was completed in 1863 by E. P. Loftus Brock, and a chancel was added in 1884.

The early years were not smooth. The first design ran into trouble, and the vicar went to court against the architect and the builder, because the Kentish ragstone used in the construction had proved too soft for the job. The church was first dedicated to Christ Church. The dedication to St Silas came with the consecration on 16 July 1867.

What does the building look like?

The church is a typical example of Victorian Gothic Revival, and its mix of materials gives it a lively, colourful character. The walls combine Kentish ragstone with stone dressings and white, yellow and red brick. The roof is covered in Welsh slate.

Details worth looking for on a visit:

• The east end, with three tall lancet windows.
• The south aisle, where the window arches are finished in herringbone brickwork.
• The polychrome brick patterns, typical of the period and of Teulon's taste for strong contrasts.

What is inside and what has changed recently?

The interior includes a reredos and Stations of the Cross by the artist Michael Coles. In 2009 the church was re-roofed using solar tiles, a notable modern addition to a nineteenth-century building and an example of how historic churches adapt to current needs.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the church?

On Penton Street in Pentonville, within the Borough of Islington in north London, a short walk from the Angel area.

Is it a listed building?

Yes. It is Grade II listed under the name Church of St Silas with All Saints.

Who designed it?

Samuel Sanders Teulon began the design in 1860. E. P. Loftus Brock completed the church in 1863, and the chancel followed in 1884.

When was it consecrated?

On 16 July 1867, when the dedication to St Silas was given.

Is it the same as St Silas the Martyr in Kentish Town?

No. That is a separate church, built in the early twentieth century in another part of north London.

Is it worth a visit?

For architecture enthusiasts, yes. The facade materials, the lancet windows and the solar-tiled roof make it an interesting example of Victorian design meeting modern sustainability.