“Ever wondered how a rural field transformed into the home of St John’s RC JMI School & Church?” This location has a story etched in its very foundations. St John’s is more than just a school and church. It’s a testament to London’s evolving landscape.
Back in the early 19th century the land where St John’s now stands belonged to All Souls College Oxford. This field’s original shape still borders Harrow Road and Kilburn Lane. All Souls even donated land for the West London Cemetery. It was officially named All Souls Cemetery. The 1880s saw All Souls develop its land northwest of Kilburn Lane. This led to the creation of All Souls Avenue and College Road. Many roads were named after leading college fellows.
St John’s Church opened in 1844. It was built to serve a growing London population. In 1851 only about 800 people lived around Kensal Green. Imagine the church in a rural setting. Early images show just that. Arthur Gore Pemberton was the first vicar. His signature graces the original ground plan. William Harrison Ainsworth also signed the document. He was a celebrated 19th-century author. He also served as one of the first churchwardens.
The church’s interior was also different. A flat wall with a rose window stood at the east end. In the early 20th century a new chancel replaced it. This included the present stone High Altar consecrated in March 1903. Pews once filled the church. The organ and font occupied different positions.
In the early 19th century new vestry rooms were added. The original vestry became a boiler house. In 2016 the old vestry was restored. This followed the relocation of the boiler. The archway around the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham marks the original vestry door site.
War damage during the Second World War significantly altered St John’s. The original ceiling arch and chancel ceiling decoration were lost. Structural support was needed. Steel beams were erected to support the roof. A ceiling was placed beneath these beams and it remains today. You can still see the original roof from the bell tower. Sharp-eyed visitors can spot the window beneath the clock face from outside. But you cannot see it from inside. The chancel ceiling decoration is hidden by a panel. It was painted at the end of Queen Victoria’s reign and is in remarkable condition.
In 1944 St John’s celebrated its centenary. The rood was erected. This wooden crucifix and statues of St Mary and St John served as an act of thanksgiving. It commemorated 100 years of church life.
The church clock was added in 1916. Its centenary was celebrated in October 2016. St John’s has one church bell. The south tower was intended for more. Perhaps this will be realized in the future.
St John’s Church was consecrated on August 8th 1844. On July 6th 2014 St John’s celebrated its 170th anniversary. A service of thanksgiving was held. It celebrated the restoration work and renewal of the church clock. The Bishop of Fulham led the service. Many friends and past parishioners of St John’s attended. The occasion also focused on future development plans. The aim is to offer the church for wider community use.
Today St John’s stands as a beacon of history and community. It is ready to embrace the future while honoring its past. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history within these walls. Consider the generations who have walked this path. St John’s RC JMI School & Church is a living testament to faith community and time itself.