St Augustine, Kilburn seen from Randolph Gardens Open Space

Image: © Marathon Taken: 13 Nov 2013

Although St Augustine's is not officially a cathedral, because of its large scale and ornate architecture, it is sometimes referred to as "the Cathedral of North London". St Augustine's was founded by Richard Carr Kirkpatrick in the Anglo-Catholic tradition in 1870. By 1871, a foundation stone had been laid and the church was consecrated in 1880, although the tower and spire were not constructed until 1897–1898. The spire measures more than 254 feet high. St Augustine's is Grade I listed. Ian Nairn describes St Augustine's in Nairn's London (1966): "In this weightless and fragile building every part has had pride honed away like surplus flesh. Everything that is left is truly humble and reverent - a remarkable thing in such a big building... St Augustine is in a poor area at the back of Kilburn High Road and could easily have tried to put one over on the shabby streets as so many London churches do. But instead, everything is comfortable and welcoming outside." Nikolaus Pevsner described it as "one of the best churches of its date in the whole of England, a proud, honest, upright achievement". Here the south side of St Augustine is seen from Randolph Gardens Open Space. The Open Space is not a former churchyard as the church was established after the passing of legislation in the 1850s enforcing the closure of urban churchyards. Instead, Randolph Gardens was previously a private garden for the use of leaseholders of adjoining houses. The Gardens Gardens were opened up to the public in 1928.

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