Development Project

working to be a church for the future ...

 

 
The tower of St John's - built 1907-8 A congregation with a vision to build

In order for a  new church to be built in the 19th century, the generous benefaction of several local families and the vigorous campaigning by the vicar at the time, the Reverend Edward Buckmaster, 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 which stood on the site.  That Chapel of Ease, although only erected in 1832, was positioned facing north-south and was described by the Stratford Express as

undoubtedly ugly, and what was worse for a chapel of ease, it was as the vicar says, a most uneasy place. In fact it possessed every disadvantage in such a high degree as to make its removal desirable, together with every qualification that would recommend it to the housebreaker. In 1889, its ugliness was banished from the town.

It took until 1889 for the land donated by John Clarmont Whiteman to become a key gift in the building of St. John’s which now 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 31st 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.  The vicar at the time, the Reverend Edward Buckmaster, also contributed £1,500.

Three phases

Trustees were appointed to oversee the work and further benefactions followed.  GF Bodley was employed to design the building and the Foundation stone was laid in 1889. 

The Church of St. John the Baptist was completed in three phases.

  • The Nave and Chancel were completed in 1891.

  • The North Aisle was added in 1908 in memory of The Revd. Edward Buckmaster, who had been Vicar from 1888-1906, and who had overseen the building of the new Church.

  • The Tower was built between 1907 and 1908.  The  foundation stone was laid on 4th December 1907 and it was dedicated by the Bishop of St. Albans (in whose Diocese St John’s was at that time) on April 28th, 1909.  Since then it has stood as a powerful witness on the High Street in Epping and is visible from many standpoints in the surrounding countryside. 

The later works, from 1907 to 1909 were overseen by the Reverend R L Allwork, who succeeded Edward Buckmaster as Vicar.  When he was appointed, the local Gazette said that he would:

"find a good deal of unfinished work in his new Church ... the north aisle awaits early completion and the erection of a tower, not to mention a parish hall of more substantial proportions than the present building known as the Church Room."

However, the Gazette saw in him a man who

"attains the objects he sets his mind upon and we doubt not before long a whole network of parochial ministry will be set in motion to revive the dormant church life of this important centre ..."

Thus, over a period of 20 years, St. John’s was completed in three stages but to one comprehensive architectural design.  The only outstanding work was the new Parish Hall.  Our Planned extension, as part of the Dream Project will rectify that!

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

  
Launching an Appeal for a new building for the future... The Development Project

Geoffrey wrote in April 2009, on the occasion of the Centenary of the completion of the church:

Now that we have begun the restoration of the organ, we have achieved the targets we set when we began our Renewal Appeal in 2003.  The main items of work we identified then were: the renewal of worn stonework, particularly around the base of the Tower, the re-lighting of the church, the cleaning of the reredos and the restoration of the organ.  We also had a long term plan to augment the bells with two new ones and that is still a cherished hope. 

Other things were done to enhance the church during this period, notably the building of the Chapel of Transfiguration and the making of the Garden of Remembrance.  We are currently in the process of converting the toilet in the Tower Room to make it more accessible for disabled people. 

Now, however, we are free to really go for our Development Project to extend the Church to provide a meeting place, a fully-equipped kitchen, office space, a cafe area and space for our learning groups.  Our architect, Colin Kerr, has suggested that we are looking for about a million and a half pounds.  We have over £100,00 towards this target and I have challenged the PCC to work with the congregation to raise £250,000 by mid 2010.  Only when we have shown ourselves to be serious about this project can we go to fund-making bodies and local businesses.

The Appeal leaflet currently available on the Welcome Desk suggests ways we can donate personally and there are also 'Home Collecting Boxes' available.  The Development Committee will meet shortly to work out ways we can raise the money - but, in truth it really is now UP TO YOU!

Whatever vision we have for the new building, we pray that it will be motivated not only by our own needs but by our desire to glorify God. If that is true, we shall make a building worthy of its purpose.

The Appeal aims to raise money to enable us to develop the site next to the church - at present occupied by St John's House - to provide a 21st Century facility for our fellowship, ministry and mission.
Why do we need a new building?

We need to develop a space which will give us the resources and facilities on which to build a 21st century mission in much the same way as building St John’s Church did for a 20th Century mission.

Worship is central to our Christian life at St John's and the church building provides an appropriate and adaptable sacred space for this.

Alongside this however, is the need for other spaces both for the congregation and church, and for the community of Epping:

  • spaces for fellowship - where we can come to know each other better and forge deeper relationships as a church family.  These might be a medium sized room for smaller meetings and a café area.  A hall or café will also need good kitchen facilities and toilets.

  • spaces for learning - we have active Sunday School groups who would benefit enormously from designated spaces in which to meet.  We also have various Study Groups that meet throughout the year who need rooms in which to meet.  We also hope to house a library of resources.

  • spaces for the community - where the many different groups in Epping that use our present hall and church will be able to meet and enjoy improved facilities and where we will also be able to offer facilities to other groups.

  • space to be - many people already enjoy our garden space to sit and relax, eat sandwiches, enjoy the sunshine or just be still.  We want to develop our Garden Area to make it an outdoor space for all to enjoy - with better seating, creative planting and a relaxing atmosphere.

  • spaces for accessibility - we need to be able to welcome all people to St John's and to make them feel at ease.  A new building will allow us to design for this at the outset and to provide facilities such as toilets which are fully accessible to all.

  • spaces for administration - St John's is part of a Team Ministry and has an office which operates through the week. This is currently housed in St John's House.  A new building would allow us to design these offices more efficiently and improve facilities

  • spaces to support our worship - a change in orientation, making the West doors the main entrance to the church will also allow the Baptistery area in the church to be improved.

In seeking to answer the question of why we need a new building? it is important to ask a further question.
What might it be required to do in 20, 50 or 100 years time?

We are not just planning for our mission now and in the immediate future – we are planning for the Church of the future.  Of course there is no way we can be certain what the future requirements will be. We can assume that there will be need for a meeting hall, offices, preparation rooms, kitchen etc but we can’t possibly guess or define a future ministry or mission need.  But then nor could George Bodley, the architect or Ernest Wythes, one of the principal benefactors.

What Bodley did, by accident or design, was to make the Church flexible and accessible.  Mainly, of course he did this by refusing to have pews. This, together with the sheer height of the building and the quality of the furnishings, provided a Sacred Space – and one which has been adaptable in every generation. That principle needs to be our guide in designing the new building.

Website originally designed: Piers Northam.  Last updated 26 December 2009.
Registered Charity Number 1128001

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