St. Andrew's Church

History and architecture

The architectural composition of Saint Andrew's Church is distinctive and picturesque in the Gothic manner. Constructed of rock faced granite, the Church's rugged appearance has a solid quality and great dignity. The interesting massing of structural elements culminates in a handsome clock tower, adjacent to the south transept on 127th Street. Two graceful pointed-arch openings on each side of the belfry give form and deep shadow to the tower, while the slate-covered spire is adorned at each corner by delicate turrets. Cruciform in shape, the plan has galleries in the transept and side aisles in the nave. Simple buttresses, at the exterior of the south aisle wall, lend structural support and considerable interest to the design.

A steep pitched slate roof covers the nave and transept and at the west end terminates in a striking gabled wall. This rich masonry facade is supported by heavy buttresses opposite the nave walls and contains two tall narrow pointed windows and a small rose window. A very handsome pointed arched doorway is deeply revealed in its own gable. The recessed arches, within the deep reveal of this portal, spring from ornate caps supported by handsome dwarf columns, a very fitting entrance to this notable church. Occupying a corner lot, the church has a corner entrance with a small stone vestibule, opening to the south. With its steep pitched slate roof, it projects out from the side aisle adding a picturesque feature to the exterior of this handsome church.