The area now within the boundaries of the Parish of St John-at-Hampstead[2] was granted to the Benedictine monks of Westminster Abbey by charter in 986, a document of uncertain authenticity but traditionally accepted as confirming earlier grants made under King Æthelred and later reaffirmed by Edward the Confessor.[3] While it is unlikely that the monks established a substantial parish church at this early date, they would have required a chapel for the daily offices of their order. On this basis, the site of the current parish church has long been regarded as having been a place of Christian worship for over a millennium, a milestone commemorated by the parish in 1986.[4]
The first clear documentary evidence of a church dates from the early 14th century. In 1312 John de Neuport is recorded as priest, and in 1333 reference is made to a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, the Benedictine foundation of Westminster was replaced by the short-lived Bishopric of Westminster. Its first and only bishop, Thomas Thirlby, was also rector of Hampstead and in 1545 appointed Thomas Chapelyne as vicar. When the see was suppressed in 1551 under Edward VI, the manor and benefice of Hampstead were granted to Sir Thomas Wrothe. Parish records survive continuously from 1560.[3]
The medieval and early post-Reformation church was a modest structure, partly of stone and partly of timber, with a small wooden tower. As Hampstead grew in population and reputation during the 17th and early 18th centuries—particularly as a health resort associated with the nearby wells—the building became increasingly inadequate and unsafe. By 1744 it was declared unusable.[3]
A new church was erected on the present site and consecrated on 8 October 1747 by the Bishop of Llandaff, acting as commissary of the diocese. After initial disputes, the trustees adopted a design by John Sanderson, following the withdrawal of Henry Flitcroft. The building was financed by a combination of contributions from the lord of the manor, public subscription, pew rents and other local sources. The church was considerably smaller than today, essentially a rectangular structure extending only as far as the transepts, with a tower at the east end. The copper spire was added later, around 1783. Although dedicated to St John, the precise dedication was not formally specified at the time.[5]
By the early 19th century the church was again too small for the expanding parish. After delays and rejected proposals, plans by Robert Hesketh were approved in 1843, extending the building some 30 feet westwards by means of transepts and adding over 500 seats. Gas lighting was installed, and in 1853 a new organ was built by Henry Willis, who served for a time as organist.[6]
In 1911–12 the vestries were remodelled by Temple Moore, who also added a Morning Chapel (now the Sacrament Chapel), dedicated to St Mary and St John. In 1917 the Bishop of London formally declared the church to be dedicated to St John the Evangelist - an official dedication which clarified the uncertainty of the 18th century. In 1958 the dark Victorian interior decoration was removed and the lighter, whitewashed scheme closer to the original appearance was reinstated. As certified in 1950, the church is now a Grade I listed building.[8]
Architecture
The church is constructed of yellow stock brick with stone dressings and is designed in a plain Classical style. Its plan consists of a six-bay nave with aisles, a sanctuary, and an east-end tower surmounted by a spire. The building also closes the western perspective of Church Row.[9]
The principal entrance is located at the base of the east tower and features a moulded stone doorcase with a console-bracketed pediment, beneath which is a plaque dated 1745 reused from the former west end. The doorway has an overlight and panelled doors. Additional entrances flank the tower, each with moulded stone doorcases, cornices, and panelled doors. At first-floor level, the tower façade contains three round-arched, architraved windows with keystones, lugs, bracketed sills, and small-paned glazing. A stone dentilcornice surmounts the tower and continues across the aisle gable, rising to form a pediment. Above this, the tower incorporates a circular lugged clock and round-arched belfry openings with architraved heads, keystones, and continuous impost and sill bands. It is crowned by a battlemented parapet and a spire with a weathervane. The aisles are lit by similar round-arched windows, while the west end has three comparable windows with an oculus above the central one.[10]
The cast iron gates and railings surrounding the old churchward came from Cannons, the Duke of Chandos’ home. 59ft of railings and two 9ft gates were purchased at a cost of £62.17s.0d and altered to fit the front of the church.[4]
The Commandment boards, Our Father & Creed at St John-at-Hampstead
The interior is articulated by tall, unfluted Ionic columns supporting arches that intersect the tunnel-vaulted ceiling, with galleries occupying the bays between the columns. The north-western Chapel of St Mary and St John, created in 1912, is domed and illuminated by a circular lantern. Chancel decoration dating from around 1883 was executed by T. G. Jackson, who designed the pavement, the Willis organ case, inlaid choir stalls, panelling, chandelier, and railings, along with an extensive intertwined double-gold decorative scheme that extends across much of the church.[11] The east end of the church on the rear gallery wall holds The Commandment Boards carved by Thomas Ady for the new church. They were restored in 1979, having been concealed for many years under paintings. They are described as some of the best in England.[12]
St John-at-Hampstead - Fulleylove windowThe font at St John-at-Hampstead
The stained glass in the west windows was designed by Professor Ellis Wooldridge and executed by Powell. Much of the remaining stained glass was designed, executed, and donated by Alfred Bell of Clayton & Bell, who also designed the marble font supported by Ionic columns. The font incorporates the bowl of the 1745 font, the stem being removed to form the piscina in the chapel.[13] A gallery window dedicated to Sir George Gilbert Scott, Bell’s tutor, is also his work. The Lady Chapel window is by Joan Fulleylove and is dedicated to a soldier of the 1st World War. Fulleylove studied at The Slade between 1907-08; it is said to be her first window.[14] The mid-eighteenth-century pulpit was reduced to its present size during F. P. Cockerell’s reordering in 1878.[15]
The large prie-deux in the chapel were given in memory of Mildred Aline Bell who died on the Matterhorn in 1901 and who is buried in the Churchyard.[17]
Music
The church has a fine musical tradition stretching back as far as Henry Willis. Under the direction of Martindale Sidwell it developed a national and international reputation as being a centre of excellence for parish music, which it maintains today with a fully professional choir as well as a junior choir and regular high-profile concerts.[18]
Organ
The Willis organ at St John-at-Hampstead
The early records of organs date from the middle of the 18th century. The current organ was installed by Henry Willis in 1884. Restoration and rebuilding work was undertaken by Harrison and Harrison in 1964, and Bower and Co in 2000. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[19] and on the parish website.[18]
By virtue of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956, parochial church councils are entitled to levy a voluntary rate and, in 1986, Hampstead Parish Church's PCC decided to supplement their millennium redecoration appeal by this means.[20] The levying of a voluntary rate on businesses and residents alike has now become a regular annual event.
Churchyard
Churchyard
Notable individuals buried in its churchyard include:
123Port, Michael (1995). Hampstead Parish Church: The Story of a Building through 250 Years. London, England: St. John-at-Hampstead Parochial Church Council.
↑"Raising a Voluntary Church Rate". Hampstead: The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead. Retrieved 30 May 2012. In 1986 (Hampstead's Millennium year) our church raised a voluntary rate towards the appeal for redecorating the interior of our Georgian building. The response was so good and the feedback so positive that we have continued to raise this rate every year since. We do, however, only make the appeal for the benefit of the maintenance of the building. It has never been suggested that money so raised, from people of other faiths and none, should be used for the running costs of the Parish.
↑ CWGC Cemetery Report. Breakdown obtained from casualty records. Accessed 16 September 2012.
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