Doesn’t its Gothic style catch your eye? This is St John the Theologian. It stands as a testament to faith and history. Let’s step closer to uncover its story.
St John the Theologian began its life as a Gothic-style church. John Drake of Rochester designed it in 1873. Polychrome brick and stone form its striking exterior. Imagine the craftsmanship required for such detail.
Originally, this building was a Catholic Apostolic church. But its story took a turn in 1966. The local Orthodox community purchased it. They named it in remembrance of St John the Theologian. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated here on July 16th, 1966.
St John the Theologian is part of a larger family. It belongs to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain. This archdiocese is under the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Patriarchate oversees Greek Orthodox churches in Great Britain. Its headquarters are also in London.
Who was St John the Theologian? He was one of Jesus’s original twelve apostles. He is also known as John the Divine. He wrote the Gospel of John. He also penned three letters and the Book of Revelation. His symbol is the eagle.
John was the son of Salome and Zebedee. Zebedee was a fisherman. St James was John’s brother, and also an apostle. In his Gospel, John calls himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. He was the youngest apostle and close to Jesus. Icons often show him leaning on Jesus at the Mystical Supper.
John witnessed key moments in Jesus’s life. He was present at the Transfiguration. He was also there with Peter and James.
Emperor Domitian exiled John to Patmos around 90-95 A.D. There, he wrote the Book of Revelation. Legend says John died in an unusual way. At over 100 years old, he asked his disciples to dig a cross-shaped grave. He entered it and was buried alive. When the grave was opened later, his body was gone. Some say that dust rises from his grave each May 8th. This dust is said to heal the sick.
Returning to our St John the Theologian, the former Catholic Apostolic church became a Greek Orthodox church. This transformation occurred in 1966. It was officially registered in 1986. In 1988, the church seated about 250 people. It also ran a Greek language school and a Sunday school.
The building itself has seen changes. The Catholic Apostolic church was registered in 1874. Its design included an aisled nave and shallow transepts. A fleche sat over the crossing.
So, St John the Theologian stands as a testament to history. It embodies faith and transformation. Its walls have witnessed different denominations. Its story connects to an apostle. St John’s legacy lives on in this London church.