St John's Chapel, Bedford Row facts for kids

St John's Chapel, Bedford Row, in Bloomsbury, London, was an important church building. It was a "proprietary chapel," meaning it was owned by private people, not directly by the church. In the 1800s, it was home to a large group of Anglican Christians. The chapel was located near Bedford Row, at the corner of Millman Street and Chapel Street (now Rugby Street).

St John's Chapel: A Historic London Church

The chapel was built for people who left the congregation of St Andrew's, Holborn. This happened around 1713. At one point, it was described as the largest Church of England chapel in London. It needed a lot of repairs when it first started.

Important Leaders at the Chapel

Many important religious leaders served at St John's Chapel:

• Richard Cecil: He became the minister in 1780. He worked to repair the chapel and served there until he died in 1810.
• Daniel Wilson: He started as an assistant in 1808. He later became the main minister from 1812 to 1824. Daniel Wilson later became a bishop in Calcutta, India.
• Charles Jerram: He was the minister from 1824 to 1826. He then returned to his church in Chobham, Surrey.
• Baptist Wriotheseley Noel: He was the minister from 1827 to 1848. He later became a Baptist.
• Thomas Dealtry: He served as minister in 1848–49. He was also known as an Archdeacon of Calcutta and a Bishop of Madras.
• Joseph Butterworth Owen: He was the minister from 1854 to 1857.

Chapel's Connections and End

St John's Chapel was connected to some important groups and people. It was linked to the Clapham Sect, a group of social reformers. It was also associated with the Eclectic Society. Famous figures like William Wilberforce and Zachary Macaulay had ties to the chapel.

After Baptist Wriotheseley Noel left, the chapel continued its work. However, it was not as well-known as before. In November 1856, the roof of the chapel collapsed. The building was completely taken down in 1863.

Music at the Chapel

Music was an important part of St John's Chapel.

• John Worgan: He was the organist from 1760.
• William Riley: He was the singing master and clerk. He also wrote books about church music.

In 1814, Miss Theophania Cecil created a book of "Psalm and Hymn Tunes" used at the chapel. The organ built for the chapel in 1821 was later moved. In 1858, it went to Thaxted Parish Church. This organ was restored in 2014-2015.