Here stands Parish Church of St John the Evangelist a testament to faith and architectural ambition. This Grade II listed red brick Gothic Revival church rises before us in Upper Norwood. It is a significant landmark.
Parish Church of St John the Evangelist was erected between 1878 and 1887. The esteemed English architect John Loughborough Pearson designed it. The church is dedicated to St John the Evangelist.
Let’s delve into the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist’s past. In the 1870s London expanded into Surrey. New homes sprung up around Upper Norwood. An iron church served as a temporary place of worship. It was moved to this site on Auckland Road in October 1875.
In 1876 it became a parish church. Rev William Fairbairn La Trobe-Bateman initiated a fundraising effort. He aimed to build a permanent church to replace the iron one. A memorial fund for his late wife supplemented the funds.
John Loughborough Pearson was engaged. He was a renowned ecclesiastical architect. He designed Parish Church of St John the Evangelist to seat 1000 people. The foundation stone was laid on May 6 1878. Construction was delayed until sufficient funds were raised. The Church Commissioners contributed an additional amount. It was conditional on including a tower in the plans. Construction began in 1881. The building was consecrated on April 30 1887. Financial constraints prevented the completion of the tower.
Notice the plain red brick exterior. Pevsner described the two turrets at the west end as typically Pearsonian. The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist stretches 160 feet long. It has a cruciform shape. A 208-foot tower was planned for the south transept but never built.
Inside the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist the interior is stock brick. Arcades and brick rib vaulting add to its grandeur. The stone rood screen stands out. It features five gothic arches topped by four statues. The carved stone reredos is also impressive.
Parish Church of St John the Evangelist suffered damage during World War II. Caroe & Partners undertook restoration work between 1946 and 1951. The stained glass by Clayton & Bell was lost. However a rose window by Ninian Comper survived.
The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist has faced challenges. Subsidence has required reconstruction of the rood screen. It also threatened the south aisle. Structural works have been completed with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Interior restoration is underway.
Since Thomas Helmore’s time, Parish Church of St John the Evangelist has valued music. The organ was built by Thomas Christopher Lewis in 1882. Its design was unique. The organ was in the north transept. The console was in the south choir aisle. Rebuilds occurred in 1912 and 1947. Harrison & Harrison restored it in 1997-98.
The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist has excellent acoustics. Classical musicians often use it for recordings. His Majesty’s Sagbutts & Cornetts, Florilegium and I Fagiolini have recorded here. Libera has also filmed two music videos here.
The Parish Church of 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 stations.
Thomas Helmore was a noted authority on plainsong. Cecil Horsley served as vicar and later Bishop of Colombo and Gibraltar. Bev Mason was vicar and later Bishop of Warrington. John Taylor Smith was curate and later Bishop of Sierra Leone. Kenneth Mackenzie served his curacy here. He later became Bishop of Brechin.
The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist is more than bricks and mortar. It is a living testament to community spirit. It is a beacon of faith. It is a place where music and history intertwine.