St John the Evangelist Church, Oxford facts for kids
St John the Evangelist Church is a special church located on Iffley Road in Oxford, England. It was originally built for a religious group called the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE), also known as the Cowley Fathers. Since 1980, it has also been used as a chapel for St Stephen's House, Oxford, which is a college in Oxford.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History and Design
The church was designed by a famous architect named G. F. Bodley (1827–1907). It was built between 1894 and 1896. The building has a beautiful style called Decorated Gothic, which is a type of English Gothic architecture. Its sides (called aisles) and the area near the altar (called the chancel) have special supports called flying buttresses. These supports have pointed tops, known as pinnacles. The tall, castle-like tower at the west end was added in 1902.
The church is also known for its stunning stained glass windows. The windows at the east, west, and north-east parts of the church were designed by C. E. Kempe (1837–1907) and were made around 1900.
Art Inside the Church
Inside the church, you can find a set of artworks called the Stations of the Cross. These were created by a leading artist named Edward Arthur Fellowes Prynne. He was part of the Pre-Raphaelite art movement. Prynne believed the church offered a "unique opportunity" because of its large wall spaces. He felt it was a "great pleasure and high privilege" to work on this project.
These striking paintings were finally put in the church in 1921. One of the paintings, "Jesus Christ Condemned to Death," was based on an earlier picture by the artist from 1898. That original painting is now kept at St Peter's Church, Ealing.
The Church's Role with St Stephen's House
In 1980, the Society of St John the Evangelist decided to move its Oxford activities to London. At that time, St Stephen's House, Oxford moved into the buildings that belonged to the SSJE. These buildings were perfect for a theological college, which is a place where people study to become religious leaders.
The SSJE's buildings included the Mission House, St John the Evangelist Church, and an extension that connected the older building to the chapel and the church. This extension also had a dining hall (refectory) and a cloister (a covered walkway). The church's architect, G. F. Bodley, also worked on these nearby college buildings. Today, the Sunday Mass is celebrated in the church during Oxford's school year.
Modern Use and a Famous Runner
St John the Evangelist Church is a listed building, which means it's protected because of its historical importance. It was renovated and restored in 2008, and even got underfloor heating! Since 2012, an organization called SJE Arts Oxford has been holding music and art events in the church, making it a lively place for the community.
The church is located right across from the Roger Bannister running track. This track is famous because it's where Roger Bannister (1929–2018) achieved a huge milestone in sports history. On May 6, 1954, he became the first person ever to run a four-minute mile – that's running a mile in under four minutes! Before his record-breaking run, he actually used the St George's flag on top of the church tower to check if the wind was calm enough for his attempt.
See also
