“I often remember” the words echo across the centuries. They are inscribed on the very stones of St John the Evangelist in Cambridge. This is the motto of St John’s College. It’s a phrase that whispers of a rich history a legacy of learning and faith.
St John the Evangelist stands as a testament to time. It wasn’t always a college. Before the grand buildings that you see today there was a religious hospital. This hospital dedicated to St John the Evangelist existed as early as 1200. It was a center for scholars. They studied theology and the liberal arts. The hospital was old and dilapidated by the early 1500s.
Lady Margaret Beaufort mother of King Henry VII wanted to found a new college. Her chaplain John Fisher Bishop of Rochester played a key role. He secured the necessary funding. This was not an easy feat. Lady Margaret died in 1509 two years before the college’s charter was granted. Fisher’s determination ensured the college’s foundation. The college received its charter on April 9 1511.
The original buildings were built quickly. They were erected on the site of the hospital. A gatehouse library and living quarters were constructed. There was a kitchen hall and a combination room. Much of the original structure remains today. It shows Cambridge’s unique architectural style. The original chapel was later replaced by a larger more modern one. This stands proudly today a symbol of St John’s College. It is the third tallest building in Cambridge.
The college has faced many challenges. The Reformation brought religious upheaval. There were power struggles and changes of leadership. The English Civil War saw First Court used as a prison. Despite these difficulties St John the Evangelist flourished. It expanded westwards towards the River Cam. Today it boasts twelve courts more than any other Oxford or Cambridge College. The college’s growth reflects the enduring spirit of Cambridge.
St John’s College has a strong rivalry with Trinity College. It started with Henry VIII executing John Fisher. This historical event is commemorated in several legends. One legend tells of an eagle statue looking away from Trinity. Another highlights a missing letter J on Trinity’s older staircases.
St John the Evangelist has an impressive list of alumni. They include renowned figures from various fields. There’s William Wordsworth the poet William Wilberforce the social reformer and physicist Paul Dirac. Ten Nobel Prize winners studied here. Their achievements add to the college’s prestige and legacy.
The choir of St John’s College has sung daily services since the 1670s. It’s known worldwide for its beautiful music. The choir has recorded many albums. They’ve even appeared on television. The current chapel built between 1866 and 1869 is where the choir performs. It replaced the smaller medieval chapel which was too small.
So take your time to wander around St John the Evangelist. Absorb its history. Feel the weight of the past. Let the whispers of centuries past fill your mind. You’re standing before an institution that has changed and endured. A place that continues to shape minds and impact the world.