This engraving shows a view of the High Street in Epping as it appeared in 1865.

The ‘Free’ Chapel established by William the Conqueror had been replaced several times and there are records of a chapel on this site in 1662 which was ‘restored’ in 1782 and completely re-built in 1832.   It was this building - shown in the engraving - that was re-placed in 1889/90.

Until 1888, the Parish Church of Epping was at what is now known as Epping Upland (two-and-a-halfmiles on the old Harlow Road from Epping). The church in Epping was never more than a chapel within the ecclesiastical parish of All Saints’ Epping Upland. 

An Act of Parliament which received the Royal Assent on 7^th August 1888 provided for the pulling down of the old Chapel of Saint John the Baptist in Epping and the building of a new Church. Furthermore the new Church was to be designated the ‘Parish Church’  and the old church at Epping Upland was to be designated a ‘Chapel-of-Ease’ within the new Parish.  The connection between the two churches is maintained within St. John’s through the Chapel to the left of the High Altar which is known as the ‘All Saints’ Chapel after the dedication of the Church at Epping Upland.

In order for the new Church to be built the generous benefaction of several local families was necessary.  As early as 1848, John Clarmont Whiteman of Theydon Grove, Epping, gave a parcel of land (110 feet by 77 to 85 feet) for the expansion of the old Chapel.  No expansion took place. but the land was to be a key gift in the building of St. John’s which occupies the land then given.  A relative of John Whiteman, Miss Elizabeth Horsley Whiteman, offered £3,000 towards the cost of a new Church in 1886, with the quaint proviso that work must be in hand by the 31^st March 1890.

Large though her generosity was, it was insufficient to finance the work. It became possible through further gifts, particularly from the Wythes Family of Copped Hall.  As Patron of Epping Upland Church, Ernest James Wythes felt it his duty to “promise such substantial help as will make the undertaking practicable.” He gave a further £4,000.   Trustees were appointed to oversee the work and further benefactions followed.

 St. John’s was thus built because of the generous vision of local Epping people.