Is it possible for a building to whisper secrets of faith and artistry? St John the Baptist Church does just that. It stands as Kensington’s only Grade I listed church. This makes it one of London’s most distinctive and important churches.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine 150 years ago. The vision for St John the Baptist began. James Brooks designed this masterpiece. He was a major Victorian architect. His design was based on the Cistercian model. The church developed incrementally from the 1870s to 1916.
The land was bought from the Holland Estate in 1868. A condition was that the new church must be built in stone. Most churches were built of brick then. St John’s became an expensive undertaking because of this. Today, it has its own small parish. It is part of the united benefice of Holland Park.
Building St John’s was a journey. The congregation was responsible for the costs. A temporary church of wood and corrugated iron was built. It opened for Evensong on February 27, 1869. The stone church we see today was built in stages. Construction moved westward toward Holland Road. As funds were raised, the temporary church was dismantled. Another part of the St John’s we see today was built in its place. The chancel was completed by 1885. The west front was finished in 1910.
Look closely at the uneven floor. It is a legacy of this incremental construction. The firm hand of the first two Anglo-Catholic incumbents ensured unity. The generosity of the parishioners helped too. St John’s is a distinguished time capsule of the Anglo-Catholic movement. It is regularly used for traditional worship today.
To many visitors, the Grade I status is a surprise. St John the Baptist is hemmed in by Victorian terraces. For architectural experts, it might be a revelation. It has been considered an “other work” of James Brooks. Brooks’ reputation was based on simplicity in ecclesiastical architecture.
Brooks’ original conception owed much to English Cistercian abbeys. The interior space was meant to be uncluttered. Decoration was to be confined to simple mouldings. Pale limestone and clear-glazed windows were planned. However, the congregation’s fundraising ensured more elaboration. St John’s earned Grade I listed status in January 2015. This means it’s a building of exceptional interest. It joins the top 5% of English churches in terms of architectural importance.
English Heritage summarized their judgement in 2015. They said, “This is an outstanding building. Cathedral-like in its scale and aspirations. It has a particularly rich, highly accomplished and complete interior.”
One of its jewels is the tiny Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. For much of St John’s history, its existence was a secret. Reserving the blessed sacrament was not allowed within the Church of England.
St John’s has been used for major exhibitions. It has also become a regular concert venue. The notable 20th Century composer Healey Willan was organist here. Films like Evita and Richard III have used St John’s as a filming location.
Notice the virtually unchanged state since WW1. It is an important architectural survival. St John’s seats 500 comfortably. The core of its work is the weekly Sung Eucharist. It happens each Sunday evening.
St John the Baptist stands as a testament to faith. It embodies architectural ambition. Its walls echo with history. Its doors are open to all. It is an inclusive church.