St John's Church, Egham facts for kids
St. John's Church, Egham is an Anglican church located in the center of Egham, Surrey. It is part of the Diocese of Guildford. The church has about 320 members. Around 300 people usually attend Sunday services. The current vicar, Revd Esther Prior, started her role in September 2018.
Church History
The church building you see today was constructed between 1817 and 1820. The very first Sunday service in this new church happened on March 16, 1820. There has been a church on this spot for a very long time, since about 1150. The old gate, called a lychgate, is even older than the current building.
A famous preacher named John Wesley visited Egham and gave a sermon around 1771. Both the church and its lychgate are considered very important historical buildings. They are listed as Grade II* structures.
Notable Burials
One person buried in the churchyard is Frederic Cournet. He was a former French naval officer who had to leave his home country. Cournet was involved in the last known duel to happen in England. This event took place in 1852 in nearby Englefield Green. His opponent was another Frenchman named Emmanuel Barthélemy. Cournet was hurt and passed away several hours later. Barthélemy was found responsible for his death.
Magna Carta Shields
Since 1999, special shields showing the barons of the Magna Carta have been displayed inside the church. You can find them in the entrance area, called the narthex. Before that, they were shown on the pillars inside the main part of the church, known as the nave.
Community Projects
St. John's Church is very active in the Egham community. They run and support several helpful projects.
- English Language Cafe: This project helps people who are learning English. It's a friendly place for them to practice speaking.
- Christians Against Poverty Life Skills: This course teaches important life skills. It helps people manage their money and daily lives better.
- The Besom: This project connects people who want to give items like furniture or household goods with those who need them. It helps make sure people have what they need for their homes.
The church also supports many other local and global projects. You can find more details on their website.
Recent Events
In February 2014, the Vicar, Jeff Wattley, and some church members appeared on the BBC1 show "The One Show." They were helping people in need because of local flooding.
