Did you know that St John the Evangelist in Upper Norwood doesn’t have a spire? It was meant to have one. Let’s delve into the story of this intriguing church.
St John the Evangelist is a Church of England parish church. It stands proudly in Upper Norwood. This red brick Gothic Revival church is a Grade II listed building.
Imagine Upper Norwood in the 1870s. London was expanding. New houses were popping up amidst the Surrey woodland. A temporary iron church served the growing community. It stood where St John the Evangelist stands today.
In 1876, it became a parish church. Rev William Fairbairn La Trobe-Bateman started fundraising. He wanted a permanent church to replace the iron one. A memorial fund for his wife, who died of tuberculosis, boosted the effort.
The parish hired John Loughborough Pearson. He was a renowned ecclesiastical architect. Pearson planned a church for 1,000 people. The foundation stone was laid in 1878. But construction waited for more funds.
The Church Commissioners offered an additional sum. There was a condition. The plans had to include a tower. Building began in 1881. Six years later, St John the Evangelist was consecrated on April 30, 1887. Sadly, the tower never materialized due to lack of money.
Notice the plain red brick exterior. See the two turrets at the west end. Pevsner called them “typically Pearsonian.” The church stretches 160 feet long. It has a cruciform shape. The south transept was intended for a 208-foot tower. Above the nave soars a tall clerestory.
Inside St John the Evangelist, stock brick meets arcades. Brick rib vaulting adds to the grandeur. The stone rood screen is striking. It spans the chancel with five gothic arches. Four statues top the screen. The carved stone reredos is also impressive.
During the Second World War, bombs damaged the church. Caroe & Partners restored it between 1946 and 1951. Clayton & Bell’s stained glass was lost. However, Ninian Comper’s rose window survived. He was a Gothic Revival designer who lived nearby.
Subsidence has affected St John the Evangelist over the years. The rood screen had to be reconstructed. The south aisle’s structure was threatened. Restoration work is underway to secure the building and its interior.
St John the Evangelist has a strong musical tradition. Thomas Helmore emphasized music in worship. The organ was built in 1882 by Thomas Christopher Lewis. Its design was unusual. The organ was in the north transept. The console was across the church in the south choir aisle. Rebuilds occurred in 1912 and 1947. Harrison & Harrison restored it in 1997-98.
The church’s acoustics are excellent. Classical musicians often record CDs here. Ensembles like His Majesty’s Sagbutts & Cornetts have recorded here. Libera, a boys’ choir, filmed two music videos at St John the Evangelist.
St John the Evangelist stands on Auckland and Sylvan Roads. It is near Crystal Palace Park and the Croydon transmitter. Crystal Palace and Anerley are the closest train stations.
Thomas Helmore and Cecil Horsley were notable clergy here. John Taylor Smith and Kenneth Mackenzie also served at St John the Evangelist.
St John the Evangelist stands as a testament to Victorian ambition. It reflects the community’s spirit. Despite lacking its intended spire, it inspires awe. Its history echoes through its bricks and vaulted ceilings. A place of worship, a concert venue, a landmark: St John the Evangelist continues to serve its community.