Church Of St John

The Church of St John, in Camden, was built in phases between 1745 and 1912. The original nave and tower were constructed in 1745-47 by John Sanderson, followed by a steeple rebuilt in 1759, a spire added in 1784, and extensions by Robert Hesketh in 1843. In 1878, F.P. Cockerell reoriented the church, placing the altar at the west end and adding a chancel and galleries. Further alterations occurred in 1912 when Temple Moore created the Chapel of St Mary & St John and added vestries. The crypt was converted into a Parish Room between 1964 and 1965.

The church is constructed of yellow stock brick with stone dressings and is designed in a plain Classical style, presenting a six-bay nave, aisles, a sanctuary, and a tower at the east end topped with a spire. The main entrance is at the base of the east tower, featuring a moulded stone doorcase with a console bracketed pediment displaying a plaque dated 1745, which was reused from the west end. Similar entrances flank the tower, each with moulded doorcases and cornices. Round-arched windows with architraves, keystones, lugs, and bracketed sills illuminate the east end and west end, featuring small panes of glass. The tower has a stone dentil cornice, which extends upwards to create a pediment. Above the cornice, a circular lugged clock and round-arched belfry openings with architraved heads are present, alongside a battlemented parapet.

Inside, tall, unfluted Ionic columns support arches that lead to a tunnel vaulted ceiling. Galleries run between the columns. The Chapel of St Mary & St John features a domed ceiling with a circular lantern. The chancel decoration, dating from c.1883, is the work of T.G. Jackson, who also designed the pavement, the Willis organ case, inlaid choir stalls, panelling, a chandelier, and decorative gold railings. Stained glass in the west windows was designed by Professor Ellis Wooldridge and executed by Powell. Much of the remaining glass was designed, executed, and given by Alfred Bell of Clayton & Bell, who also designed a marble font incorporating a bowl from 1747. A gallery window is dedicated to Sir George Gilbert Scott, Bell’s tutor. A Lady Chapel window is by Joan Fulleylove. A mid-18th century pulpit was altered in 1878 by Cockerell. Numerous wall monuments are present, including memorials to Rev. Thomas Ainger, John Keats, Joanna Baillie, JH Merivale, Frances Erskine, TN Longman, Henry Cort, and others. The oldest tomb dates to 1658 and belongs to James Rixton, originally buried in the old church.