St John's Church, Stratford facts for kids
St John's Church, also known as the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, is a historic church located in Stratford, London. It stands right on Stratford Broadway, which is a main road in the area. This church serves as the local community church for its area.
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What Was Here Before?
Before St John's Church was built, this spot had a different kind of building. It was once a "Forest Prison." This prison held people who had broken rules related to the Royal Forest of Waltham. Today, that forest is known as Epping Forest. The prison was built around 1620 and stayed there until 1827.
Building the Church
The church itself was constructed between 1832 and 1834. It was designed by a famous architect named Edward Blore. He used a style called the Early English style, and the church was built with grey bricks.
Key Features of the Church
One of the most eye-catching parts of St John's Church is its tall tower. This tower has three main sections and is topped with a pointed spire. The spire is held up by special supports called flying buttresses. Because of its historical importance and design, the church is a Grade II Listed building. This means it's recognized as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
Why Was It Built?
St John's Church was first built as a "chapel of ease." This meant it was a smaller church created to make it easier for people to attend services. Before it was built, people had to travel a longer distance to the older church, All Saints West Ham. St John's became its own separate church area, called an ecclesiastical parish, in 1844.
Famous Connections
A well-known poet named Gerard Manley Hopkins was baptised as a baby in this church. This happened in August 1844.
Church History and Changes
Over the years, St John's Church has seen many changes and played an important role in the community.
New Church Areas
In 1865, a part of St John's church area was separated to create a new area for St Paul's Church, Stratford. This church had started as a smaller mission church. Later, in 1881, another section of St John's area was combined with parts of other church areas, All Saints and Emmanuel Church. This created a new church area for St James' Church, Forest Gate.
Important Memorials
The churchyard is the resting place of Antonio Brady, a naturalist and social reformer, who was buried there in 1881. To remember him, an addition was built onto the chancel (the area around the altar) of the church in 1884. In 1879, a memorial was also added to the churchyard to honor the Stratford Martyrs.
World War II and Beyond
During World War II, the church's crypt (an underground room) was used as an air raid shelter. Local people could go there to stay safe during bombings. Even though the church itself was damaged by bombs, it helped protect the community. In 1961, St John's took over the church area of Christ Church, Stratford, which was no longer used as a church. A new extension was added to St John's in 1998.
Music and the Church
Between 1988 and 1994, the church's crypt became a practice space for a music group called Bark Psychosis. This band is known for a type of music called post-rock. They also used the crypt as a recording studio. They recorded their single Scum there in 1992 and their first album, Hex, in 1994.
