| ©2018 St. John the Evangelist, Sandown

Over a hundred and twenty years ago an iron church stood on this site surrounded by fields and farmland, overlooking a much smaller town than Sandown is today. It was erected when Christ Church - at the other end of town - proved too small for the number of people wanting to go to church. Eventually this iron church was not large enough and largely on the initiative of the Vicar at that time (the Rev Gilbert St Karney) work was started on a new full scale stone church on the same site. The iron structure was dismantled and sent to Devon where it was re-erected in Teignmouth. One remaining window from this church has been incorporated in the St John's you see today. Services were held in the adjacent school and the Town Hall. Lady Oglander, of Nunwell House, Brading, laid the foundation stone for the new church on 26 September 1878. The church was built in Isle of Wight and Portland stone, able to seat 700 people and cost £7,000 to build - which was considered remarkably good value. It was a considerable act of faith to do this as all the money had to be raised locally. Rev Karney was an inspiration and under his energetic leadership funds came in. (You might be interested to know that Lewis Carroll once played with the Karney children at Sandown). When Rev Karney left the parish in 1881, before the work of the new church was completed, he donated the £1200 which was raised as a testimonial to him by the town to the Church Completion Fund. You will find a marble tablet in a wall at the west end of the Church which is dedicated to this gift. This contribution left only £659 to pay of which £276 was for the architect’s commission but a collection made at the opening service wiped another £123 from this debt.
The History of St John the Evangelist and Guide
This service took place on Thursday, 2 June 1881 and saw, for the first time, a large congregation worshipping in the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist. Rev Karney, making a return visit, was the preacher though the service was opened by the new Vicar - Rev William Townsend Storrs. St John's is built in the Early English style with stone from nearby St Boniface quarries and roofed with tiles. London architect B S Luck had given the nave eight massive Portland stone columns with moulded caps from which sprang five graceful arches with clerestory above. The 112ft long by 30ft wide church was without a conventional spire but the 60ft high roof was topped by a turret terminating in a finial 100ft from the ground. The church had been well built by a local builder, Issac Barton of Ryde. Nearly 127 years on, in spite of several additions and extensions, the church has retained its essential simplicity and charm. It has a wide brick interior, a short Chancel and narrow aisles. The pews and woodwork are plain but not unattractive. An authority on architecture has said that if St John’s possessed an Apse, it could well be described as a Basilica in Gothic style. The interior is very light and spacious with many windows with most lower windows having stained glass which is worthy of the closest attention. The craftsman is a source of some perplexity but the windows were described by the poet John Betjeman as “a rarity and the colouring quite magnificent”. The choir stalls are in the nave so that the bareness of the elevated chancel sets a stage for the superb east windows of double tiered trefoiled lancets, all depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The three larger lights show the Holy Family, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection - notice the skilfully graduated colour on the angels’ wings. Another fine window, in the north wall, shows similar use of colour in the wings of the angels in the side lights. There are more beautiful windows on the south wall, the central one in memory of Hilda - daughter of the Rev Canon Whitby (Vicar 1891-1905) and depicts Mary and Martha at Bethany with a central figure of Christ in a robe of vibrant red - of such lustre that in daylight a three dimensional effect is achieved. More imaginative use of colour can be seen in the window to the left, a memorial to a young 21 year old soldier who died whilst serving in the Transvaal War in 1901.
The church’s rectangular design allows the chancel and side chapels to extend across the full width of the building, the latter divided from the former with carved wooden screens in gothic style - a design repeated in the clerics’ stalls and the altar reredos, where is frames a painting of The Last Supper. The Lady Chapel screen serves as a memorial to those who died in The Great War. Behind the Chapel’s altar is an interesting contemporary needlework panel by Freda Copley of Leeds. On a blue batik background embroidered forms reflect ideas of the origins of life and the creation as described in the opening verses of St John’s Gospel. The Father Willis organ, built in Winchester, was first installed in 1883 and was moved from the North side of the Chancel to its present post in 1966 when the West Porch was built. The Church Annexe was opened in 1966 which added rooms and a kitchen to the church facilities. Nowadays this is used by a number of organisations for a host of activities including a playgroup, various clubs, drama rehearsals, fund raising jumble sales, coffee mornings etc. In February 2004 the Beverley Community Hall was opened giving additional space for use by St John’s and other organisations. St John’s is very much part of the local community, a centre for pastoral work which, through its active Parish Church Council, Priest-in-Charge, Assistant Curate and congregation, encompasses all ages. The various clubs and guilds which use the Annexe and the Beverley Community Hall, the participation of the present Priest-in-Charge (the Revd Jonathan Hall) on the governing bodies of the two local Church schools, and the many activities which have the church as a focus all point to a continuing need for St John’s as one of Sandown’s active churches. A final thought - this building must have been very cold in winter before the heating was installed and on the west wall can be seen a plaque, placed by the Vicar and churchwardens, recording the work done between 1907-1912, when the chancel was redecorated and the glorious east windows installed. But significantly the first item "in thankful record of the reheating ……….."
Sandown Isle of Wight St. John the Evangelist

| ©2018 St. John the Evangelist, Sandown

The History of St John the Evangelist and Guide
Over a hundred and twenty years ago an iron church stood on this site surrounded by fields and farmland, overlooking a much smaller town than Sandown is today. It was erected when Christ Church - at the other end of town - proved too small for the number of people wanting to go to church. Eventually this iron church was not large enough and largely on the initiative of the Vicar at that time (the Rev Gilbert St Karney) work was started on a new full scale stone church on the same site. The iron structure was dismantled and sent to Devon where it was re-erected in Teignmouth. One remaining window from this church has been incorporated in the St John's you see today. Services were held in the adjacent school and the Town Hall. Lady Oglander, of Nunwell House, Brading, laid the foundation stone for the new church on 26 September 1878. The church was built in Isle of Wight and Portland stone, able to seat 700 people and cost £7,000 to build - which was considered remarkably good value. It was a considerable act of faith to do this as all the money had to be raised locally. Rev Karney was an inspiration and under his energetic leadership funds came in. (You might be interested to know that Lewis Carroll once played with the Karney children at Sandown). When Rev Karney left the parish in 1881, before the work of the new church was completed, he donated the £1200 which was raised as a testimonial to him by the town to the Church Completion Fund. You will find a marble tablet in a wall at the west end of the Church which is dedicated to this gift. This contribution left only £659 to pay of which £276 was for the architect’s commission but a collection made at the opening service wiped another £123 from this debt.
This service took place on Thursday, 2 June 1881 and saw, for the first time, a large congregation worshipping in the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist. Rev Karney, making a return visit, was the preacher though the service was opened by the new Vicar - Rev William Townsend Storrs. St John's is built in the Early English style with stone from nearby St Boniface quarries and roofed with tiles. London architect B S Luck had given the nave eight massive Portland stone columns with moulded caps from which sprang five graceful arches with clerestory above. The 112ft long by 30ft wide church was without a conventional spire but the 60ft high roof was topped by a turret terminating in a finial 100ft from the ground. The church had been well built by a local builder, Issac Barton of Ryde. Nearly 127 years on, in spite of several additions and extensions, the church has retained its essential simplicity and charm. It has a wide brick interior, a short Chancel and narrow aisles. The pews and woodwork are plain but not unattractive. An authority on architecture has said that if St John’s possessed an Apse, it could well be described as a Basilica in Gothic style. The interior is very light and spacious with many windows with most lower windows having stained glass which is worthy of the closest attention. The craftsman is a source of some perplexity but the windows were described by the poet John Betjeman as “a rarity and the colouring quite magnificent”. The choir stalls are in the nave so that the bareness of the elevated chancel sets a stage for the superb east windows of double tiered trefoiled lancets, all depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The three larger lights show the Holy Family, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection - notice the skilfully graduated colour on the angels’ wings. Another fine window, in the north wall, shows similar use of colour in the wings of the angels in the side lights. There are more beautiful windows on the south wall, the central one in memory of Hilda - daughter of the Rev Canon Whitby (Vicar 1891-1905) and depicts Mary and Martha at Bethany with a central figure of Christ in a robe of vibrant red - of such lustre that in daylight a three dimensional effect is achieved. More imaginative use of colour can be seen in the window to the left, a memorial to a young 21 year old soldier who died whilst serving in the Transvaal War in 1901.
The church’s rectangular design allows the chancel and side chapels to extend across the full width of the building, the latter divided from the former with carved wooden screens in gothic style - a design repeated in the clerics’ stalls and the altar reredos, where is frames a painting of The Last Supper. The Lady Chapel screen serves as a memorial to those who died in The Great War. Behind the Chapel’s altar is an interesting contemporary needlework panel by Freda Copley of Leeds. On a blue batik background embroidered forms reflect ideas of the origins of life and the creation as described in the opening verses of St John’s Gospel. The Father Willis organ, built in Winchester, was first installed in 1883 and was moved from the North side of the Chancel to its present post in 1966 when the West Porch was built. The Church Annexe was opened in 1966 which added rooms and a kitchen to the church facilities. Nowadays this is used by a number of organisations for a host of activities including a playgroup, various clubs, drama rehearsals, fund raising jumble sales, coffee mornings etc. In February 2004 the Beverley Community Hall was opened giving additional space for use by St John’s and other organisations. St John’s is very much part of the local community, a centre for pastoral work which, through its active Parish Church Council, Priest- in-Charge, Assistant Curate and congregation, encompasses all ages. The various clubs and guilds which use the Annexe and the Beverley Community Hall, the participation of the present Priest-in-Charge (the Revd Jonathan Hall) on the governing bodies of the two local Church schools, and the many activities which have the church as a focus all point to a continuing need for St John’s as one of Sandown’s active churches. A final thought - this building must have been very cold in winter before the heating was installed and on the west wall can be seen a plaque, placed by the Vicar and churchwardens, recording the work done between 1907-1912, when the chancel was redecorated and the glorious east windows installed. But significantly the first item "in thankful record of the reheating ……….."
Sandown Isle of Wight St. John the Evangelist

| ©2018 St. John the Evangelist, Sandown

Over a hundred and twenty years ago an iron church stood on this site surrounded by fields and farmland, overlooking a much smaller town than Sandown is today. It was erected when Christ Church - at the other end of town - proved too small for the number of people wanting to go to church. Eventually this iron church was not large enough and largely on the initiative of the Vicar at that time (the Rev Gilbert St Karney) work was started on a new full scale stone church on the same site. The iron structure was dismantled and sent to Devon where it was re-erected in Teignmouth. One remaining window from this church has been incorporated in the St John's you see today. Services were held in the adjacent school and the Town Hall. Lady Oglander, of Nunwell House, Brading, laid the foundation stone for the new church on 26 September 1878. The church was built in Isle of Wight and Portland stone, able to seat 700 people and cost £7,000 to build - which was considered remarkably good value. It was a considerable act of faith to do this as all the money had to be raised locally. Rev Karney was an inspiration and under his energetic leadership funds came in. (You might be interested to know that Lewis Carroll once played with the Karney children at Sandown). When Rev Karney left the parish in 1881, before the work of the new church was completed, he donated the £1200 which was raised as a testimonial to him by the town to the Church Completion Fund. You will find a marble tablet in a wall at the west end of the Church which is dedicated to this gift. This contribution left only £659 to pay of which £276 was for the architect’s commission but a collection made at the opening service wiped another £123 from this debt.
The History of St John the Evangelist and Guide
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This service took place on Thursday, 2 June 1881 and saw, for the first time, a large congregation worshipping in the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist. Rev Karney, making a return visit, was the preacher though the service was opened by the new Vicar - Rev William Townsend Storrs. St John's is built in the Early English style with stone from nearby St Boniface quarries and roofed with tiles. London architect B S Luck had given the nave eight massive Portland stone columns with moulded caps from which sprang five graceful arches with clerestory above. The 112ft long by 30ft wide church was without a conventional spire but the 60ft high roof was topped by a turret terminating in a finial 100ft from the ground. The church had been well built by a local builder, Issac Barton of Ryde. Nearly 127 years on, in spite of several additions and extensions, the church has retained its essential simplicity and charm. It has a wide brick interior, a short Chancel and narrow aisles. The pews and woodwork are plain but not unattractive. An authority on architecture has said that if St John’s possessed an Apse, it could well be described as a Basilica in Gothic style. The interior is very light and spacious with many windows with most lower windows having stained glass which is worthy of the closest attention. The craftsman is a source of some perplexity but the windows were described by the poet John Betjeman as “a rarity and the colouring quite magnificent”. The choir stalls are in the nave so that the bareness of the elevated chancel sets a stage for the superb east windows of double tiered trefoiled lancets, all depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The three larger lights show the Holy Family, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection - notice the skilfully graduated colour on the angels’ wings. Another fine window, in the north wall, shows similar use of colour in the wings of the angels in the side lights. There are more beautiful windows on the south wall, the central one in memory of Hilda - daughter of the Rev Canon Whitby (Vicar 1891-1905) and depicts Mary and Martha at Bethany with a central figure of Christ in a robe of vibrant red - of such lustre that in daylight a three dimensional effect is achieved. More imaginative use of colour can be seen in the window to the left, a memorial to a young 21 year old soldier who died whilst serving in the Transvaal War in 1901.
The church’s rectangular design allows the chancel and side chapels to extend across the full width of the building, the latter divided from the former with carved wooden screens in gothic style - a design repeated in the clerics’ stalls and the altar reredos, where is frames a painting of The Last Supper. The Lady Chapel screen serves as a memorial to those who died in The Great War. Behind the Chapel’s altar is an interesting contemporary needlework panel by Freda Copley of Leeds. On a blue batik background embroidered forms reflect ideas of the origins of life and the creation as described in the opening verses of St John’s Gospel. The Father Willis organ, built in Winchester, was first installed in 1883 and was moved from the North side of the Chancel to its present post in 1966 when the West Porch was built. The Church Annexe was opened in 1966 which added rooms and a kitchen to the church facilities. Nowadays this is used by a number of organisations for a host of activities including a playgroup, various clubs, drama rehearsals, fund raising jumble sales, coffee mornings etc. In February 2004 the Beverley Community Hall was opened giving additional space for use by St John’s and other organisations. St John’s is very much part of the local community, a centre for pastoral work which, through its active Parish Church Council, Priest-in-Charge, Assistant Curate and congregation, encompasses all ages. The various clubs and guilds which use the Annexe and the Beverley Community Hall, the participation of the present Priest-in-Charge (the Revd Jonathan Hall) on the governing bodies of the two local Church schools, and the many activities which have the church as a focus all point to a continuing need for St John’s as one of Sandown’s active churches. A final thought - this building must have been very cold in winter before the heating was installed and on the west wall can be seen a plaque, placed by the Vicar and churchwardens, recording the work done between 1907-1912, when the chancel was redecorated and the glorious east windows installed. But significantly the first item "in thankful record of the reheating ……….."
Sandown Isle of Wight St. John the Evangelist