The Church of St. John the Baptist replaced an earlier Chapel of Ease. 

Designs for the church were prepared by GF Bodley, an eminent Victorian architect and a leading light in the 19th century Gothic Revival.

The Foundation stone for the church was laid in 1889 and a plaque on the corner of the church commemorates this occasion.  The Nave and Chancel were completed in 1891. 

On 4 December 1907 the foundation stone for the Tower was laid and in 1908, the North Aisle of the church was added in memory of The Rev'd Edward Buckmaster, who had been Vicar from 1888-1906, and who had overseen the building of the new Church.  The tower was was dedicated by the Bishop of St. Albans (in whose Diocese St John’s was at that time) on 28 April 1909.

 Thus, over a period of 20 years, St. John’s was completed in three stages but to one comprehensive architectural design.