St Jude on the Hill
Hampstead Garden Suburb, Greater London
St Jude's was designed by Edwin Lutyens to be the centre piece of Hampstead Garden Suburb.
Elements of the original 12th century church including the font can still be seen in the church. During the 15th century the church was rebuilt and this gives it the character it has to this day with a fine tower at the west end of the church and clerestories above the north and south arcades.
In 1872, as Finchley was expanding due to the arrival of the railway, the church was extended with a new south aisle. At this time an organ by the famous organ builder “Father” Henry Willis was installed in the chapel on the north side of the chancel.
The church was extended again in 1932 with an outer south aisle that incudes some fascinating roof bosses which reflect the events of the day and include Mahatma Ghandi.
A bomb falling just to the East of the church in October 1940 destroyed the East End of the church and wrecked the organ. The organ was rebuilt and repositioned on the west gallery. The church was rededicated on 29 September 1953.
The churchyard contains a number of beautiful monuments. Highlights are the obelisk commemorating Major John Cartwright who was known as The Father of Reform and the monument of Elizabeth Norris with a beautiful effigy of her recumbent on the top of her chest tomb.