St John's Blackheath Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St John's Blackheath
St John the Evangelist's Church
The church from the southeast
51°28′33″N 0°01′07″E / 51.4758°N 0.0187°E / 51.4758; 0.0187
Location	Stratheden Road, Blackheath, London SE3 7TH
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Anglican
Churchmanship	Evangelical
History
Status	Parish church
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II
Designated	8 June 1973
Architect(s)	Arthur Ashpitel
Style	Perpendicular Gothic Revival
Completed	1853
Administration
Parish	Blackheath, St John the Evangelist
Deanery	Charlton
Archdeaconry	Lewisham and Greenwich
Diocese	Southwark

St John's Blackheath, also known as St John the Evangelist's Church, is a church for all ages in Blackheath, southeast London. It's part of the Anglican faith. Built in the 1850s, this church was designed by architect Arthur Ashpitel. It quickly became an important landmark and a spiritual center for the growing area. St John's Blackheath is known for its Evangelical style of worship. The church holds two services every Sunday and has active groups for children and young people.

History of St John's Church
Church Architecture and Design
Services and Church Life
Gallery
See also

History of St John's Church

The area around the church, called Vanbrugh Park, was developed in the early Victorian era (the time when Queen Victoria ruled). In 1852, architect Arthur Ashpitel was asked to design a new church for this neighborhood. He started building in 1852, and the church was finished in 1853.

During World War II, some of the beautiful stained glass windows in the north part of the church were damaged. They were later replaced. In 1999, the inside of the church was updated. New areas like offices and a kitchen were added at the west end.

St John's Church was given a special status on June 8, 1973. It was listed as a Grade II building. This means it is considered "nationally important" and has "special interest" because of its history and design. The war memorial outside the church, which honors those who served, was also listed as Grade II on May 19, 2016. It was designed by J.B.L. Tolhurst and revealed on November 11, 1922.

Church Architecture and Design

St John the Evangelist's Church is a very noticeable building in Blackheath. It stands on its own, surrounded by roads and homes, making it easy to see, especially from the west. The church is built from Kentish Ragstone, a type of stone found locally, and its roof is made of Welsh slate.

The church's design includes a main hall called a nave, with smaller sections called aisles on both sides. It also has a chancel (the area around the altar) with its own aisles, and rooms for the vestry (where clergy prepare) and the organ. There are porches on two sides, and a tall tower at the west end. This tower has a "good" tall spire on top. The tower has strong supports called buttresses at each corner and windows with fancy patterns called tracery. It also has clock faces and a decorative top section with small towers called pinnacles.

The church's style is mostly Gothic Revival, specifically the Perpendicular style. This style was popular with the Evangelical movement at the time.

Inside, most of the church's decorations and furniture are from the late 1800s. This includes a screen in front of the chancel called a rood screen and a decorated screen behind the altar called a reredos, both made by H.S. Rogers. Many of the stained-glass windows were created by the company Heaton, Butler and Bayne.

Services and Church Life

St John's Church holds two services every Sunday. There is a morning service at 10:15 AM and an evening service at 6:00 PM. On the second Sunday of each month, there is also an early morning service at 8:00 AM, which uses the Book of Common Prayer.

The church is part of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. The current vicar is Eddie Scrase-Field, and Chloe Ginns helps lead the youth ministry. Cathy Livesey is the parish administrator.