Ready to uncover a hidden gem nestled in Buckhurst Hill? St John the Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith and history. It is a place where echoes of the past resonate with the present.
St John the Baptist Church was founded in 1837. It began as a chapel of ease. Just a year later, Buckhurst Hill became its own ecclesiastical district. Before that, it was part of the ancient parish of Chigwell. It wasn’t until 1867 that Buckhurst Hill became a separate parish. The church celebrated its 180th anniversary in June 2017.
The architecture of St John the Baptist Church is quite interesting. The nave was consecrated in 1837. Additional features were added later. The north aisle and north chapel came in 1865. The south aisle followed in 1870. An extension and southwest spire appeared in 1879. The west front was completed in 1892. The church is built with stone, some coursed and some random. Slate roofs top the structure.
Inside St John the Baptist Church, the chancel draws the eye. It has an east window with five trefoiled lights. Tracery adorns it under a four-centered arch. North and south windows each have two trefoiled lights. These have segmental-pointed arches. An arcade with two two-centered arches leads to the north chapel. It features a brown marble shaft and a capital of naturalistic foliage. On the south side, a single two-centered arch opens into the organ chamber. It has engaged shafts and naturalistic floriate capitals. The chancel arch is two-centered and molded. A richly carved timber screen was moved from the chancel arch further east. The chancel roof is in three bays with arch-braced collars.
The nave in St John the Baptist Church features two arcades of five bays. These have two-centered arches and capitals of naturalistic foliate designs. The designs are all different. Except for the two most westerly capitals of the north arcade which are molded. The north aisle is low with a lean-to roof. The south aisle is high with a pitched roof. The west window has five trefoiled lights and a two-centered arch. The nave roof features hammerbeam construction. It has arched braces of four-centered curvature.
The stained glass at St John the Baptist Church is of various styles and dates. One window in the north aisle has glass of Pre-Raphaelite character.
St John the Baptist Church is a Grade II listed building. It was designated on May 29, 1984. This recognizes its architectural and historical significance. The churchyard of St John the Baptist Church is a peaceful place.
The legacy of St John the Baptist Church continues. The church remains an active parish church. Reverend Dr. Ian Farley serves as the vicar. St John’s is more than just a building. It is a living part of Buckhurst Hill’s story.