St John's Church, Watford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St John the Apostle & Evangelist, Watford
St John's Church, Watford
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Anglo-Catholic
Website	www.saintjohnswatford.org.uk
History
Dedication	St John the Apostle
Administration
Parish	St John the Apostle & Evangelist
Deanery	Watford
Archdeaconry	St Albans
Diocese	St Albans
Province	Canterbury

The Church of St John the Apostle and Evangelist is a special church in Watford, Hertfordshire. It's a Church of England parish church, meaning it serves the local community. For a long time, it has been known as one of the main Anglo-Catholic churches in southeast England.

Today, St John's Church follows a "Modern Catholic" style. This means it keeps the beautiful and traditional ways of worship. However, it also welcomes both women and men to serve as Deacons, Priests, and Bishops. The church is happy that the Church of England allows people to become clergy no matter their gender.

History of St John's Church

How St John's Began

St John's Church in Watford started its journey in 1873. Before that, the older St Mary's Church was being repaired in 1871. During these repairs, a temporary church was put up in the churchyard. This temporary building was made of tin and was called a "tin church."

Once St Mary's Church was open again, the tin church was moved. It was set up on some land given to the church on Sotheron Road, which is now Sutton Road. On November 23, 1873, St John's Church officially began.

Building the Permanent Church

The temporary tin church could hold 450 people. More and more people started coming to services there. It was seen as a very "High Church" at the time. This meant it had more traditional worship styles, like those found in Catholic churches. One problem was that the tin church roof leaked when it rained!

So, people decided they needed a permanent building. Everyone worked hard to raise money for the new church. Many people gave very generously. More land was donated, and plans for the new building were drawn up. The first stone for the new church was laid on July 17, 1891.

Two years later, on July 19, 1893, the new church was officially opened. John Wogan Festing, who was the Bishop of St Albans, dedicated the beautiful building. It cost £11,000 to build, which was a huge amount of money back then. In May 1904, St John's became a parish church on its own.

Church Design and Upkeep

The church was designed by an architect named Eley Emlyn White. Since 1983, it has been a Grade II Listed Building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.

Over the years, the church has had some restoration work done. In 1961, the front parts of the church, called the chancel and sanctuary, were cleaned. The main area where people sit, called the nave, and the side aisles were cleaned and redecorated. This was done in memory of the first vicar, Canon James, who passed away in 1966. In 1973, for the church's 100th birthday, the outside stonework was cleaned and repaired.

Inside St John's Church

St John's Church has a large pipe organ that was built in 1911. It was made by a company in London called J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd. The beautiful screen that separates the main part of the church from the altar area is called a rood screen. It was designed by a famous architect named Sir John Ninian Comper.

Over the years, the church has received many wonderful gifts. These include fine silver items, special clothes for the clergy called vestments and copes, and Stations of the Cross. There are also crib figures, a statue of The Madonna, beautiful glass, and lovely wooden carvings.

Regular Events and Services

St John's Church holds regular services and events for the community.

Services

• Parish Eucharist: This is the main Sunday service, held at 10:30 AM.
• Morning Prayer: Held on Mondays at 8:00 AM.
• Evening Prayer: Held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:30 PM.
• Said Mass with Lectio Divina: Held on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.
• Said Mass, Exposition and Benediction: Held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM.
• Rosary Prayers: Held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM.

St John's Primary School

St John’s Church of England Primary School is located very close to the church in central Watford. It is a Christian school that welcomes children from all backgrounds. This includes families who are Christian, those of other faiths, and those with no faith. Like the church, the school aims to serve everyone in the community.

How the School Started

The idea for St John's school began in 2013. The vicar at the time, Rev David Stevenson, heard that local families wanted a Church of England school. They also wanted more choices for schools in the area. After a lot of planning, an agreement was made in 2016. In September of that year, the first class of 30 reception children started at the Church Hall.

On September 3, 2018, the school moved into its brand new building. It is now a thriving primary school. It welcomes 60 new children every year. This means it can provide education for up to 420 children in the heart of the community. The school's mission statement is "Growing Together in Love and Respect."

In June 2024, Fr Corniel, the new vicar of St John’s, also became the official School Chaplain. He works closely with the school to help every child and staff member do well. He also offers support to them. In September 2024, the school joined the Poppy Academy Trust. This will help it connect with other schools and create new chances for children and staff.

Vicars of St John's Church

Here is a list of the vicars who have served St John's Church:

• The Rev. J.H. White – 1873-1898
• The Rt. Rev. John M. Steward - 1898-1904
• The Rev. Canon R.H.L. James -1904-1954
• The Rev. Stanley J. Forrest - 1954-1961
• The Rev. R. Salter - 1962-1998
• The Rev. J. Cope - 1999-2007
• The Rev. E. Lewis - 2008-2010
• The Rev. D.E. Stevenson - 2011–2023
• The Rev C. Quak - 2024-present

Images for kids

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  The Sanctuary inside St John's Church

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  A view looking down the nave

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  The Lady Chapel

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  The Rood Screen

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  The High Altar

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  The Nave, where people sit

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  St John's Church from Estcourt Road