A Glittering Chancel Ceiling
Discover more about the craftmanship within the most sacred part of the church – the chancel
Although the chancel ceiling was long credited to Daniel Bell, conservation work in 2018 revealed it was likely the work of his older brother, Alfred Bell (1832–1895). Unlike the wooden nave ceiling, Alfred painted directly onto the plastered brick vault of the chancel and even added sand to his paint, giving the surface a subtle, glittering effect in the light. The ceiling shows Christ in glory, surrounded by saints and angels. It’s a vivid, otherworldly scene that enhances the sacred space below.
Alfred Bell was an accomplished decorative artist, best known for his long partnership with Richard Clayton. Together, they worked on major projects, including interior decoration at the Houses of Parliament, under the Gothic Revival master Augustus Pugin. Alongside Venetian mosaicist Antonio Salviati, they also designed mosaics for the Albert Memorial.
Bell and Clayton once shared a studio with stained glass firm Heaton, Butler and Bayne, who later produced the windows designed by Henry Holiday for this very church. By the 1870s, Bell had moved his growing operation to Regent Street and took on high-profile commissions. In 1883, their reputation earned them a royal warrant from Queen Victoria after their work at Windsor Castle.
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