A Harlow church which once adorned the cover of a Chemical Brothers album has been granted listed status.
Released in 1998, ‘Brothers Gonna Work It Out’ offered a dive into the duo’s influences, brought together with typical Chemical Brothers flair. On the cover, the pair went for a photo of a Modernist church – Our Lady of Fatima in Harlow, Essex.
Now the Roman Catholic Church has been Grade II (*) listed at the advice of Historic England, due to its stunning list and innovative design. The church was designed in 1953-1954 by Gerard Goalen (1918-1999), and it represented his first ecclesiastical commission.
One of the most important British architects of the Roman Catholic Modernist movement, his innovative use of space encourages beautiful lighting within the building. Opened in 1960, it contains vibrantly coloured stained glass.
“The effect of walking into the church is uplifting, the feeling of entering a shifting kaleidoscope of colour … must surely have made many a new town worshipper gasp in astonishment,” said Clare Price of the C20 Society.
Its use on the cover of a Chemical Brothers album seemingly didn’t play a factor in the move to protected status.
Chemical Brothers are set to have a big year – new album ‘For That Beautiful Feeling’ lands on September 8th, and there’s a career-spanning book in the works, too.
