The Church of St. Elwyn was a building of brick that went up to a great height.
In the crowded district between Hornsey and Wood Green, it was one of the largest buildings, and, though not externally beautiful, acquired dignity and impressiveness from its setting of small villa houses, which made an interminable brick wilderness all round it.
It was nearing the time of the High Celebration on a Sunday morning in summer. Matins had been said in a side chapel, to a scanty congregation, at half-past nine, and now the central act of the day was to take place.
The interior of St. Elwyn's was severe but beautiful, save for one or two minor blemishes here and there.