James Cubitt

[1] Cubitt was the son of a Baptist minister, from Norfolk who taught at Spurgeon's Pastor's College in South Norwood Hill[2] — then on the outskirts of London.

[3] Cubitt was articled to the firm of Isaac Charles Gilbert, in Nottingham (1851–56) and joined W. W. Pocock building chapels for the Wesleyans.

Too many architects were failing the principal criteria of their brief: "to produce a grand and beautiful church in which everyone could see and hear the service".

[1] His chapels are built as broad uncluttered spaces around a central pulpit and Lord's table.

[3] Cubitt lived most of his professional life at Loughton, where he built several private houses and three schools.