St John Clerkenwell facts for kids
St John Clerkenwell is a historic building in London. It used to be a local church for the area of Clerkenwell. Today, it is the main church for the Order of St John. This Order is a very old group that helps people.
The building was once part of the medieval St John's Priory. In 1931, it stopped being a regular church. It then became the chapel for the Order of St John. Here, special flags of important members are shown. New members also have their ceremonies here.
Contents
What is St John Clerkenwell Today?
The Order of St John's Buildings
The Most Venerable Order of St John owns several parts of the site. These include a chapel, an old underground room called a crypt, and a peaceful garden. There is also a Georgian-style entrance building. Queen Victoria officially started the Order in 1888. It is well-known for supporting St John Ambulance. St John Ambulance is a charity that teaches first aid and provides medical help.
St John's Gardens, Benjamin Street
A short walk from the main building is a small public park. It is called St John's Gardens. This park is located behind the Order's museum. It also has other small shops and offices nearby. This garden replaced a larger version of the church from the Victorian era.
A Look Back: The History of St John Clerkenwell
The Church in Queen Anne's Time
In the early 1700s, the church building was falling apart. A special group in London bought it. This group was set up to build many new churches. They helped save and fix the old structure.
Victorian Era Changes
In 1845, the church was carefully repaired. This work was done by William Pettit Griffith. By 1878, some parts of the old church still remained. This included a large stained glass window. Parts of the original church walls were also still there. These older sections were from before the Reformation. You could also see old stone carvings and arched ceilings.
St John's Church Before and After World War II
By 1931, fewer people were attending the church. Because of this, St John's church joined with a nearby church. This was St James', Clerkenwell. St John's then stopped being a regular parish church. It was officially made the chapel for the Order of St John.
During The Blitz in 1941, many parts of London were bombed. St James' Church, which was larger, was also badly damaged.
Rebuilding the Old Chapel
The Order of St John began rebuilding their chapel in 1951. The work finished in 1958. Architects John Seely and Paul Paget designed the new chapel. The old medieval crypt, an underground room, was kept. It is still part of the building today.
You can see the shape of the original round church in St John's Square. This church was first built in 1185. To the south of the church is the Garden of Remembrance. This garden is on the site of a chapel from the 1500s.
See also
- St John Street, London
Images for kids
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St John's Clerkenwell's Georgian-style façade with the Garden of Remembrance behind and the Priory banner flying above
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West door of St John's Church; engraver Joseph John Skelton (1818).
