St John the Evangelist

The current St Johns is the fourth church on this site. The first one blew down in 1866, a year after it was built. The second one burned down in 1878. The 3rd building was designed in the gothic style by Sir Arthur Blomfield, an important Victorian architect. It was badly damaged by a bomb in 1943 when thankfully no one was injured.

The replacement, incorporating parts of the earlier building including the tower and west end of the church, was designed by HS Goodhart-Rendell, a distinguished 20th century architect. The foundation stone was laid by the then Princess Elizabeth (now our queen) on 18th May 1951. Services began in 1952. It is to the credit of Goodhart-Rendel that since 1998 this beautiful building has had Grade II* listed status. The exterior is of red brick with yellow brick patterning.

The interior is lined with honey coloured stone dressed render. The brightness of the interior is enhanced by the flanking clear glass leaded windows by Ledger, the lightness of the walls and the soft colour scheme. Key points of interest include the double chancel arch and the dividing gallery originally intended for the organ and the choir. The tower contains four bells (late Victorian) and there is a separate sanctuary bell above the roof at the junction of the chancel and nave.

The Foundation Stone was laid by The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh on 18th May 1951.