Church featured on The Chemical Brothers' album artwork to receive Grade II* status
Harlow’s Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church, famously featured on the cover of 1998 compilation 'Brothers Gonna Work it Out', has been granted protection status
Our Lady of Fatima in Harlow, Essex - famously featured on the artwork for The Chemical Brothers’ compilation album ‘Brothers Gonna Work It out’ — is getting upgraded from a Grade II listed site to a Grade II*.
The church's towering needle spire, instantly recognisable for its use on the 1998 DJ mix album, was designed by British architect Gerald Goalen — though it's musical significance reportedly had little to do with the decision to upgrade its protected status.
Rather, It came after a recommendation Historic England to the UK Government to protect its architectural and historical significance.
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At the time of the church's completion in 1960, its innovative “in the round” design had a freestanding altar in its centre, circled by 500 seats. Its vibrant, jewelled Dalle de Ver windows are another factor contributing to its significance.
One half of The Chemical Brothers, Ed Simon, shared the news, Tweeting: "Harlow church on Chemical Brothers album cover granted protected status."
The Chemical are welcoming their 10th studio album, ‘For That Beautiful Feeling’ this autumn, releasing on September 8 2023. It comes as their first full length release since ‘No Geography’ , which was released in 2019.
The duo have recently shared details of a “career spanning retrospective book”, ‘Paused in Cosmic Reflection’ will release October 26 this year via the White Rabbit publications. It contains unseen interviews with the band, as well as close friends and collaborators.
The publication has noted that if you pre order the book from Waterstones bookstore, you may be able to win a Chemical Brothers bundle, with tickets to their upcoming UK tour, an extensive vinyl bundle, a signed framed print and the only signed deluxe edition of the book.
You can pre order the book here, and the album here.
Tiffanie Ibe is Mixmag’s Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram