Lewis Vulliamy (1791–1871) was an English architect who is best known for his work on large houses. () He was born in Pall Mall, London, into a family of clock and watchmakers. () At the age of 16 he was articled to the architect Robert Smirke, and from 1809 he studied at the Royal Academy Schools where he won the silver and gold medals. In 1818 he was awarded a scholarship from the academy, allowing him to study for four years on the continent where he spent most of the time in Italy.
On his return to England, Vulliamy established his practice in Oxford Street, London. His first commission was for work on Syston Park in Lincolnshire for Sir John Hayford Thorold. Following the Church Building Acts of 1818 and 1824, he became involved with the Church Commissioners, designing, with others, a series of churches that have become to be known as Commissioners' churches. Vulliamy designed at least 14 churches for the Commissioners. He also designed a variety of public buildings, including a grandstand at Wolverhampton Racecourse, the Lock Hospital in Paddington, new premises for The Law Society in London, and the re-fronting of the premises of the Royal Institution, also in London.
Vulliamy's best known works were on large country and town houses. In addition to his work on Syston Park, he designed other country houses, including Boothby Hall, Lincolnshire. His major patron was Robert Stayner Holford, for whom he carried out work on Westonbirt House in Gloucestershire, and also designed his London residence, Dorchester House in Park Lane. These two houses are considered to be Vulliamy's most important works. Vulliamy published two works: The Bridge of the SSa. Trinita, over the Arno at Florence (1822), and Examples of ornamental sculpture in architecture (1823). For several years he suffered from chronic bronchitis, and he died at his home on Clapham Common in 1871. His estate was valued at about £60,000 ().
This list contains details of Vulliamy's work on churches and other ecclesiastical structures.
Key
Grade CriteriaGrade I Buildings of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.Grade II* Particularly important buildings of more than special interest.Grade II Buildings of national importance and special interest. "—" denotes a work that is not graded.
Works NameLocationPhotographDateNotesGradeSt Barnabas' ChurchKensington,Greater London1827A Commissioners' church.IISt Bartholomew's ChurchSydenham, Lewisham, Greater London1827–32A Commissioners' church.II*St Paul's ChurchBurslem, Staffordshire1828–29A Commissioners' church. Since demolished.Holy Trinity ChurchWordsley, West Midlands1829–31A Commissioners' church.IISt Michael's ChurchHighgate, Camden, Greater London1830–32A Commissioners' church.II*Christ ChurchWoburn Square, Bloomsbury, Camden, Greater London1830–31A Commissioners' church. Since demolished.St John's ChurchRichmond, Greater London1831–36A Commissioners' church.IIChrist ChurchTodmorden,West Yorkshire1832A Commissioners' church.IISt John the Baptist's ChurchSmallbridge, Rochdale, Greater Manchester1834A Commissioners' church.IISt John the Evangelist's ChurchWorsthorne, Lancashire1834–35IISt Clement's ChurchSpotland, Rochdale, Greater Manchester1835A Commissioners' church.IIHoly Trinity ChurchBurnley, Lancashire1835–36A Commissioners' church, damaged by fire about 1991, later converted for residential use.IISt Mary and St Laurence's ChurchRosedale, North Yorkshire1839A new church replacing a 14th-century priory.IIChrist ChurchCobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire1839–40IIChurch of St RemigusRoydon, Norfolk1840Added south porch.ISt Nicholas' ChurchWinterborne Clenston, Dorset1840II*St Giles' ChurchKnowle St Giles, Somersetc. 1840Rebuilt the nave. Later converted into a house.IIRochester CathedralRochester, Kent1840sAlterations.ISt Peter's ChurchBethnal Green,Tower Hamlets,Greater London1840–41A Commissioners' church.IISt James-the-LessBethnal Green,Tower Hamlets,Greater London1840–42A Commissioners' church, damaged in the Second World War.IISt Peter and St Paul's ChurchChingford,Waltham Forest,Greater London1844II*St James' ChurchKensington,Greater London1844–45A Commissioners' church.IIAll Saints ChurchEnnismore Gardens, Westminster,Greater London1848–49A Commissioners' church. Later the Russian Orthodox Patriarchal Church of The Assumption.II*Church of St James the GreatThorley, Hertfordshire1854–55RestorationISt Mary's ChurchLasborough, Gloucestershire1861–62Replacement of a medieval church.II
See also List of works by Lewis Vulliamy on large houses List of miscellaneous works by Lewis Vulliamy
References
Bibliography