St John the Evangelist Church, Hale, Surrey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's |
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| St John the Evangelist, Hale | |
St John the Evangelist
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 St John's
Location in Surrey
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| 51°13′41″N 0°47′07″W / 51.228006°N 0.785299°W | |
| Location | Hale Road, Hale, Surrey, GU9 9RP |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Liberal Catholic |
| Website | badshotleaandhale.org/ |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founder(s) | Charles Sumner (bishop) |
| Dedication | John the Evangelist |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 26 April 1950 |
| Architect(s) | Benjamin Ferrey |
| Architectural type | Romanesque Revival architecture |
| Completed | November 1844 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Badshot Lea and Hale |
| Deanery | Farnham |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Surrey |
| Diocese | Diocese of Guildford |
St John the Evangelist Church is a special church in Hale, Surrey. It belongs to the Church of England. This church was officially opened in 1844. Today, it is a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical place.
Contents
History of St John's Church
The church was designed by a famous architect named Benjamin Ferrey. Usually, Ferrey designed buildings in the Gothic Revival style. But St John's Church looks different. It has a unique "wild neo-Romanesque" or neo-Norman style.
Building Materials and Design
The church walls are made from clunch and sandstone. It also has a very unusual round tower with four levels. This design makes it stand out from other churches.
The Church's Opening Day
Bishop Charles Sumner officially opened the church on November 8, 1844. He was the Bishop of Winchester from 1827 to 1869. He lived nearby at Farnham Castle. His son, George Sumner, and Archdeacon Samuel Wilberforce were also there.
Growing Pains and Expansion
Soon after it opened, the church became too small. The nearby town of Aldershot grew very quickly. This caused the population of Hale to almost double. By 1861, nearly 3,000 people lived in Hale, up from just a few hundred.
The church could only fit 175 people. Many soldiers and their families from Aldershot wanted to attend. So, they needed more space.
Plans for a Bigger Church
The church decided to add 400 more seats. Benjamin Ferrey, the original architect, drew up new plans. These plans included adding a North Transept (a part of the church that sticks out), making the South Aisle bigger, and extending the Chancel (the area around the altar).
They needed about £1300 for these changes. The people of Hale were not wealthy. The church leaders asked for donations to help pay for the expansion. The church was greatly expanded in 1897.
Historic Building Status
On April 26, 1950, St John's Church was officially named a Grade II listed building. This means it is protected because of its special historical and architectural importance.
People Buried at St John's
Many interesting people are buried in the churchyard of St John the Evangelist.
Notable Graves
- Charles Sumner and his wife, Jennie, who were important figures in the church.
- John Henry Knight (inventor): He built one of Britain's first cars that ran on petrol.
- James Fellowes (cricketer): He was a cricketer who played for Kent and Hampshire teams.
Other Burials
- Five Commonwealth Graves: These are graves of soldiers who died serving their country.
- Lieutenant Colonel Owen, Lindsay Cunliffe.
- Private Hammond, J E.
- Driver Moore, William Fenwick.
- Rifleman Collyer, Sydney Harry.
- Warrant Officer Class II (C.S.M.) Webb, William Leslie.
- 321 people from Farnham Workhouse: These people lived and died in the workhouse between 1845 and 1872.
St John's Church Today
St John the Evangelist Church is part of the parish of Badshot Lea and Hale. This parish is in the Diocese of Guildford. The church follows the Liberal Catholic tradition within the Church of England. It is also known as an Inclusive Church, meaning it welcomes everyone.
Images for kids
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St John the Evangelist
