St John's, Notting Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Notting Hill |
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St John's Notting Hill in August 2013
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| Location | Ladbroke Grove, London |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | High Church |
| Website | stjohnsnottinghill.com |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Hargrave Stevens, George Alexander |
| Style | Victorian Gothic |
| Years built | 1845 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St John's Notting Hill |
| Diocese | Diocese of London |
St John's Notting Hill is an old church in London. It was built in 1845 in the Victorian Gothic style. The church is located in Notting Hill, London, and was designed by architects John Hargrave Stevens and George Alexander. It is dedicated to St John the Evangelist. The church was a main part of the Ladbroke Estate, a housing area built in the mid-1800s. This area was created to attract wealthy families to what was then a countryside part of London.
Contents
Church History
Early Plans for the Area
In 1821, James Weller Ladbroke and his architect Thomas Allason started planning a large estate. This land is now the southern part of Ladbroke Grove. From 1837 to 1841, a big piece of this land was used as the Hippodrome racecourse. The hill where St John's Church now stands was a natural viewing spot for spectators. However, the racecourse did not make much money. It closed by 1843, and the circular track was soon replaced by curved streets of houses.
Building St John's Church
St John's Church is now a Grade II listed building, which means it is a very important historical building. It is the highest point and main feature of the Ladbroke estate. The church was built to hold 1,500 people. Its design is in the Early English style, and its tall spire looks a lot like the one at St Mary's Church in Witney, Oxfordshire. St John's has a different look from the more classical style of St Peter's Church, which was built ten years later nearby.
Money to build St John's was collected from people who wanted to help. Two large loans of £2,000 each were given. One was from Viscount Canning, and the other from a businessman named Charles Blake. Charles Blake also helped pay for St Peter's Church.
Work on St John's began on January 8, 1844. The first stone was laid by John Sinclair, who was the Vicar of Kensington from 1842 to 1875. He was also the Archdeacon of Middlesex. During his time as Vicar, 19 new churches were built in Kensington, and St John's was the first. The church was officially opened by Dr Charles James Blomfield, the Bishop of London, on January 29, 1845. Because it was in a rural area, the church was first called "St John in the Hayfields."
St John's Today
The current leader of the church is the Reverend William Taylor. St John's plays an active part in the local community. Many events are held around the church.
Annual May Fair
One popular event is the annual May Fair. This is a fun family event held on the second or third Saturday of May. It has many stalls selling different things. You can find old jewelry, homemade cakes and jams, books, toys, and plants. There is also a raffle and a tombola game.
For children, there are lots of activities:
- A bouncy castle
- Face painting
- A coconut shy game
- Candy floss
- A cake decorating stall
- Beat-the-Goalie game
- A Fancy Dress Competition, with judging at 3:30 PM.
You can also buy food and drinks. There is a barbecue outside and a Pimms stall. Traditional tea, cakes, and sandwiches are sold downstairs in the church's crypt. The annual May Fair is part of the bigger Notting Hill Mayfest.
Music Recitals
Every Thursday, from 1 PM to 2 PM, the church hosts free classical chamber music concerts. These are organized by a local music company called Music Chamber. Visitors can also enjoy free coffee, tea, and biscuits. People often leave a small donation at the end of the concert.
Images for kids
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Memorial to Phillip Edward Webb, East Transept
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St Johns Notting Hill spire
