|
The ecclesiastical parish of Saint John the Evangelist was formed on October 25th 1859 out of the existing parishes of Newbury and Greenham. A church was built, much closer to the road than the present church, being the gift of Miss Ellen Hubbard in memory of her parents. Miss Hubbard was sister of the first Vicar. The church was consecrated on July 17th 1860 by Dr Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford.
|
|
|
The Old Church form the East |
|
|
The church was designed by the notable Tractarian architect, William Butterfield. Saint John's was, from the earliest days, firmly Tractarian and all of the seats were free and unappropriated. This was an important reform in the age of pew-rents. At the same time, also through the generosity of the Hubbard family, a vicarage was built near to the East End of the church.
|
|
|
The Old Church interior |
|
|
The first Vicar, The Revd Thomas Hubbard resigned in 1871 and was succeeded by The Revd Henry Thornhill Morgan. His father, Mr T. Morgan paid for a Sunday School to be built close to the church in Newtown Road; it was completed in 1874. After a very short while it became, with the vicar's permission, a Church Elementary Infants Day School. This school closed in 1985 when a modern school was built on a new site, but has retained its identity as Saint John's Church of England Infant School. The church of Saint John grew steadily over the years in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, into the twentieth century and up to the time of the Second World War.
|
|
|
The Bombed Church, 10 February 1943 |
|
All this suddenly came to an end on 10th February 1943 when, during an air raid on Newbury, the Saint John's received a direct hit from a bomb and was completely destroyed. Saint John's was the only church in the whole diocese of Oxford to suffer this fate. The raid also claimed the lives of four people, although the sacristan, who was in the sacristy (the building to the left of the photograph) at the time, managed miraculously to escape unharmed, with the Blessed Sacrament! |
|
|
The Temporary Church. |
|
|
A new church was needed and so in 1944 a temporary sectional building was purchased and erected on the cleared bomb site. This temporary church had a small sacristy and seated about 150 people, and was used for the next thirteen years. Meanwhile, after the end of the war, arrangements were being made for the future rebuilding. The plans finally selected were to the designs of Stephen Dykes Bower M.A. F.R.I.B.A. F.S.A. and the builders were Musselwhite & Son Ltd of Basingstoke. The Foundation Stone was laid at a ceremony on April 13th 1955, by Princess Margaret, assisted by the Bishop of Oxford. Two years later, the new church was complete, and the Consecration was on June 13th 1957 by the Rt Revd Harry Carpenter, Bishop of Oxford.
|
|
|
|
The new church was constructed, like its predecessor, from red bricks, which were baked locally. Dykes Bower commented that no county in England displayed such fine brickwork as Berkshire, and so it was wholly appropriate to employ this material for the new church. About three quarters of a million bricks were needed for the project, the use of stone being kept to a minimum, for pier capitals and some of the corbels.
|
|
|
 The Church from the south |
 The South Transept
|
|
|
The Exterior of the church is stark and almost Byzantine in appearance. The large round headed clerestory windows, the expanse of the red tiled roofs and the patterned brickwork give it a distinctly late Roman air. One is reminded of the 4th century Roman Basilica in Trier in Germany and some of those in Rome and Ravenna, which may well have been an inspiration for the architect. The sanctuary at the end takes the form of a transept, such as the chapels of the Nine Altars at Durham Cathedral and Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire. To the north and south project the apsidal Sacristy and Lady Chapel respectively. The east wall of the church is clearly defined by massive buttresses that divide the narrow bays and engulf the ambulatory (see below). It is massive and well defined, the three ranks of windows decreasing in size form the clerestory downwards.
|
|
|
|
At the west end, Dykes Bower built a bell tower, its width being slightly more than that of the nave, but only one bay deep. It is topped by the same style of pitched tiled roof as the rest of the church and is in reality only a slightly loftier bay of the nave. This is, perhaps the weakest aspect of the design, since this stark tower is not high enough to have the desired impact, whereas the rest of the church, by its sheer size, does.
|
|
|
|
The brickwork of the church is justly famous. For many years, groups of builders came to admire the quality of the bricklaying, with its patterned and banded work, which is outstanding for the period. Even today, visitors comment on the technical skill involved in such work, which can be seen both outside and inside the church. Dykes Bower nodded in acknowledgement of both Butterfield and the Tudor predecessors by including bands of slightly darker bricks in the wall designs. The effect is subtle and very pleasing.
|
 The Western Ambulatory
|
|
 The Nave looking east |
 The North Arcade - note the Triforium
|
|
This tour begins in the nave. The interior style of the new church was a neo-Romanesque, which reflects some of the great Norman churches built during the 11th and 12th centuries. The ceiling, which is inspired by the nave ceiling at Peterborough Cathedral, is brightly coloured in reds, blues and greys. Each bay has three stories, with a glazed triforium and a lofty clerestory above the arcades. Scattered around the church there are a number silver plaques. These tell of gifts by relatives and friends in memory of their loved ones. These gifts helped to furnish the church and to defray costs at the time of the rebuilding. |
|
|
 The North Aisle looking west. |
Now proceed to your left under the gallery and into the North Aisle. We notice the bricklayers craft in the blending of the vaulting in the ceiling in this area which is both low and narrow. Along the walls of this and the south aisle are Stations of the Cross. They were originally in use in the Temporary Church (1944 1957) and are hand painted on plaster of Paris. They were the gift of Beatrice Pank at one time organist in the Temporary Church.
The narrowness of the north and south aisles is noticeable. Indeed, they are more of passageways which surrpound the church. Certainly there is little room for processions and the like.
|
|
On the pillar, near to the pulpit is to be found a bookcase which houses a chantry book, recording the names of all those whose ashes have been placed in the Garden of Remembrance. This garden is to be found on the outside south wall of the church. The bookcase is one of several pieces of furniture carved by the late Fr Lee McCarthy, a retired priest who once acted as honorary assistant at Saint John's. Also in front of the pulpit is the shrine of the Sacred Heart. |
|
|
 The High Altar |
 The Crucifix
|
|
|
From the pulpit turn into the sanctuary and face the High Altar with its candlesticks and cross. The sanctuary, which is in the form of a shallow transept, is loftier than the nave. The Altar crucifix is made of cupro-nickel (the same as our silver coinage) and weighs approximately 84 Lbs. It was designed by Dykes Bower and made by W.F.Knight Ltd. of Wellingborough. The cross with its Christus Rex (Christ the King) was given by Fr Ernest Stenning (Vicar 1921-1946). The altar itself is built of patterned bricks, with a stone mensa (altar top) and is solid throughout so that it is not possible to move.
|
|
|
|
Above the altar and suspended from the ceiling on wrought iron rods is a canopy or Tester, painted with a dove, surrounded with tongues of fire denoting the Holy Spirit. Its predominant colours are gold, ruby and blue, similar to the stained glass windows. It is reminiscent of the painted central lantern ceiling designed by Dykes Bower in Westminster Abbey, where he was surveyor for many years.
|
|
|
The High Altar Tester |
|
|
One of the glories of the church are the beautiful chancel windows. These were made at the studios of Goddard and Gibbs in Shoreditch. They were designed by Dykes Bower and A.E. Buss, the artist for that firm. They are made up from Victorian stained glass from bombed churches and other windows beyond repair that had come into the studios. A little of the stained glass from the original Saint John's was also included. The process consists of dismantling the old windows and re-glazing to a geometrical pattern, producing areas of blue and ruby, mingled with painted fragmented drapery, canopy and painted beaded borders. This type of work is known as fragmentation.
|
|
|
 A view from the west gallery |
The east windows cannot fail to impress the visitor. Each window is slightly different and on close inspection one can discern parts of the old windows from which the glass came. The arrangement is also very satisfying, with three large traceried clerestory windows in the centre, flanked by two thinner gothic lancets at either side. Below, at triforium level, are three smaller round headed windows without tracery. Lower still, are the three ambulatory portholes which are a continuation of the of the aisle windows. Altogether, there are eleven windows and the impact early on a summer's day against a dark church is unforgettable. (You can see some of the windows in detail by clicking on the 'Stained Glass' page tab.) |
|
|
Note also the three processional banners. They are fine examples of embroidery. The Victorian banner of the Blessed Sacrament is especially fine. The Mothers Union Banner, which now hangs in the Lady Chapel, was designed by Dykes Bower and made by Watts and Co.
|
|
|
 The Blessed Sacrament Banner |
 The Banner of Saint John
|
|
The Mothers Union Banner |
|
In the north transept, in the bay by the sacristy door is the Calvary shrine. The large oak crucifix came, along with the Requiem Altar, from the old cemetry in Newtown Road. It was originally sited in the open air, but has long since been removed for safety. It had originally been erected in memory of Fr Legg, the son of Fr Wickham Legg, sometime Vicar of Saint John's.
We turn right at the Sacristy and proceed along the ambulatory which is a continuation of the narrow aisles. This is an unusual feature and enables the priest to walk from the sacristy directly to the Lady Chapel behind the High Altar. |
|
|
|
We now move into the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is commonly called the Lady Chapel. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved here to the side of the altar. Dykes Bower had designed a reredos to be placed behind the altar but for economy reasons this was omitted. At this altar the Holy Mass is offered daily.
|
|
|
|
The Lady Chapel windows (and the round porthole type to be found elsewhere) were made by the same firm as those in the sanctuary. The diamond shaped pieces of glass in these windows are known as pressed quarries. The pressing of the glass causes the surface to be uneven and it is then stained (a l4th century process) producing the lemon colour which is predominant in these windows.
|
|
|
The small, painted and gilt rood to the rear of the altar was in use in the temporary church. It was a further gift of Miss Beatrice L. Pank. The Altar Crucifix was given at the time of the consecration by members of the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Football Association, in memory of Fr Alfred Baines, the footballing Vicar of Saint John's (1912-1921), who was at one time their president. |
|
|
The Lady Chapel East Window and Rood |
|
|
At the back of the chapel, there are two stalls for the Vicar and the Curate. These, like the rest of the furniture in the church, are constructed from light oak. A small plaque records that they were given by Musselwhite & Sons, the firm that built the church. It is here that the daily office is recited.
|
|
|
On the right of the altar is a Piscina (a drain for disposing of water from the sacred vessels at the Mass). Standing on a plinth in front of the arch is a copy of the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham. At the back of the chapel is the shrine of Our Lady of Victories. This carved stone statue, was donated at the time of the consecration. |
|
|
 The Shrine of Our Lady of Victories |
|
We now pass from the Lady Chapel into the South Aisle and, after a few steps, again turn into the chancel area. Cut into the brickwork of the main chancel arch is one of the Consecration Crosses. Turn around, face west, and look up to see the organ gallery with its choir stalls. |
|
|
The Nave looking West |
|
|
At the time of the consecration, again as an economy measure, the provision of a permanent organ was omitted and a small pipe organ was used for the time being. Because of the closure of the church of Saint Mary Speenhamland in 1972, the organ from that church was offered to Saint John's. It was given free of charge, but the dismantling and re-installing cost around £5,000. It was carried out in 1974 by G. Osmond & Co. of Taunton. The original organ had been built by Gray and Davison and had three manuals. When it was moved, it was reduced to two manuals, losses being in the choir and great divisions. The swell, however, remains largely complete and is typical of its type. In its present state, the organ has 21 speaking stops, two manuals and pedals.
|
|
|
We now return to the South Aisle where you will see another Shrine of Our Lady together with a votive candle stand. Votive candles express our desire to unite our prayers with those of the Our Lady and all saints. In the next bay to the west, is situated the Intercessions Box. Here, people can write down the names and intentions of those for whom they would like the church to pray. The box is actually an old Victorian Por Box and is one of the very few items that came from the old church. It may well have been designed by Butterfield himself. It depicts the pelican in her piety, plucking her breast in order that she might feed her young with her own blood. This is an allegory for Christ's sacrifice on the cross, when he shed his blood for the sake of salvation. On the opposite side, in front of the pulpit, is the shrine of the Sacred Heart.
We now move to the west end of the church and to the Requiem and Children's Chapels. The Requiem altar is on the south side. The altar, which dates from the nineteenth century, came from the redundant Cemetry Chapel in Newtown Road, not far from the Church. It is made of oak and has been lovingly restored after years of neglect. Here a monthly Mass of Requiem is offered for those who have recently died as well as for those whose anniversary of death has occured during that month.
On the opposite side from the Requiem Chapel, is the Children's Chapel, where, every other Thursday, we have a special mass for mothers and toddlers. The altar is brought forward and the people gather around. On Sundays, this is the area where small children can paly safely whilst still being involved in the liturgy.
We now proceed under the gallery and return to the baptistry. |
|
|
Shrine of Our Lady |
|
There are two bells are housed in the west tower. One was made in 1955 at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and is two feet six inches in diameter. The other bell, much smaller, is a Sanctus Bell; it is tolled during the elevations at the Mass, denoting to those in hospital or housebound the most sacred moment of that service. This bell is nineteenth century, being a gift from the builders of the church. It had previously been in Popham church near Basingstoke and was removed from there when the builders demolished that church. |
|
|
The Font |
|
The Font (which is pictured on its own page) has been carved from one piece of stone. We note the intricate carvings around its sides. They depict the principal events in the life of our Lord. |
|
|
|
(a) The birth of Jesus -Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Wise Men and the Lamb.
|
|
|
|
(b) The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.
|
|
|
|
(c) The Last Supper -Our Lord with his disciples.
|
|
|
|
(d) The risen Lord in the garden with Mary Magdalene.
|
|
|
|
THE SHRINE OF SAINT JOHN OUR BLESSED PATRON
|
|
|
The Shrine of Saint John |
|
This very fine stone statue on a plinth on the north wall, is of our patron, Saint John the Evangelist, who holds a chalice in his hands. The chalice commemorates a story that he was once given a cup of wine to drink that had been poisoned. Saint John survived and he came to be associated with the symbol of a chalice, usually with a serpent (which signifies the poison). The inscription on the plinth reads:
Grace Charlotte Andrews, Howard John Gray Moody Grace Andrews was the mother-in-law of Father Anthony Pritchard, Vicar at the time of the rebuilding. Howard Moody was an army officer and a life long friend of the Father and Mrs Pritchard. |
|
|
We have now come to the end of our virtual tour of the church. To see some more pictures of the church and of its festivals, go to the 'Pictures' page.
There is a book available by the late R. L. Gibbs, which goes into greater detail about the church and its history. To find our more, click on the 'Books' tab. |
|
|
|
Saint Johns launches appeal
for £250,000 for urgent repair work
See Appeal page
|
|
|
|
