Church Of St John On Bethnal Green

The Church of St John on Bethnal Green is a parish church built between 1824 and 1825, designed by Sir John Soane. It was significantly restored in 1871 by William Mundy following a fire that destroyed the roof and interior. Further alterations occurred in 1888 when the chancel was altered and extended by G.F. Bodley. The church is constructed from stock brick and artificial stone with stucco dressings, and has slate and leaded roofs.

The plan comprises a nave and aisles, a west tower, and a chancel with side chapels. The west front is composed of three bays, articulated by giant pilasters set at the corners and in the centre, with fluted capitals. The central bay features a pedimented doorcase, supported by scrolled consoles with patterae. Double, 14-panelled and fielded doors are set within. Shallow recesses flank the doorcase, containing double, 5-panelled and fielded doors, and above them are plate tracery windows added in 1871. A panelled parapet rises to form the square west tower. The tower has detached, panelled pilasters at each corner, with fluting at the top, and a moulded cornice with acroteria. Bell openings with scalloped timber louvres are set within recessed areas, below clock faces to each side. A circular drum features round-arched lancets to the cardinal points. A moulded cornice sits below a narrow dome with four lucarnes, topped by a spike finial carrying a weathervane.

The north and south aisles extend eight bays, separated by giant pilasters. These pilasters are stuccoed with fluted tops in the east and west bays, while others have simpler stuccoed fluted tops. The chancel has two bays, with round arched windows at its upper level. Shallow pedimented, single-story side chapels flank the chancel, each with a window and an east doorway containing double, 4-panelled and fielded doors set within a moulded architrave. The east end of the chancel features a large stuccoed plaque.

Inside, the three-bay western facade is characterised by a central pedimented doorway and a short central tower with a cupola. The tower and giant pilasters are stuccoed. The pilasters extend upwards to form piers linked to the central tower. The facade facing Roman Road has seven windows, all round arched with simple flat stuccoed tracery.