The parish church of Hillingdon, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, stands at the top of Hillingdon Hill at its junction with Royal Lane. It is built of flint with bath stone dressings and, like many old buildings, has been altered and enlarged over the centuries to meet the changing needs of the parish.
The earliest written reference to a church in Hillingdon is the grant by Brian Fitz Count, lord of Colham manor, of Hillingdon church to Evesham Abbey shortly after 1100. Nothing remains of that building.
The earliest part of the present building is acknowledged to be the chancel arch, dated around 1270. The western three bays of the nave and north and south aisles are dated mid 14th century, with the south aisle thought to be the earlier of the two aisles. The tower was built in 1629 to replace a medieval one taken down in 1623 because it was "ruinous." It is embattled, of three stages, with a cupola containing a bell and topped by a weather vane. The cupola is made of oak and is supported on six octagonal columns. The tower contains a peal of ten bells.
By the 1840s it was agreed that the church was not large enough to accommodate the growing local population (in 1847, it could seat about 600 people) and Mr (later Sir) George Gilbert Scott, a young architect, was appointed to report and advise. His report, dated 22 October 1846, recommended pulling down the existing chancel and extending the church eastwards and adding north and south transepts. The extension was built 1848-49 by Messrs. James Fassnidge of Uxbridge. The organ chamber was built alongside the south side of the chancel in 1887.
Major restoration was again undertaken in 1902. Dormer windows, removed in the 1848-9 rebuilding, were replaced in the roof of the nave and in the new part of the north aisle, and the chancel arch was raised in height by 4 feet 6 inches, thought to be more in keeping with the dimensions of the chancel. The gallery under the tower was removed in 1906 and tower repairs carried out in 1911 and again in 1981-6.
The east end of the north aisle was remodelled as a memorial chapel to the fallen of the First World war in 1922 and the war memorial was brought inside the church from its position on the outside of the north wall.
In 1964 the new vestry block, designed by Norman Haines was built to the north east of the church.
The church has a number of brasses, the best of which is the Le Strange Brass, dated 1509. It is said by Pevsner to be the most ambitious brass of the Middle Ages to survive in Greater London. It represents John, eighth Lord Strange of Knockin with his first wife Jacquetta, daughter of Richard Woodville. Her sister, Elizabeth, was Queen of Edward VI and mother of the Princes who were murdered in the Tower. Lord Strange died in 1479 (his wife predeceased him) and was buried in Hillingdon Church.
Saint John the Baptist, our patron Saint, was born when his parents were elderly. He prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. The window in the south wall of the chancel, based on the idea of the tree of life, shows episodes in his life. He was always truthful, even though this led to him being beheaded. His nativity is 24 June, and we celebrate his birthday each year with a Flower Festival at this time.
The church is not a museum, but a living church serving all who live in the parish and those from outside who wish to worship here. People have come to our church for over 800 years for the baptism of their children, to be married, and for the burial of their dead. Details of our Services are given below, and you are welcome to attend any of them.
The church has always been surrounded by a graveyard for the burial of the dead. Burial registers have recorded all burials here since 1559 (baptism and marriage registers survive from the same date). By 1819 the churchyard had become full and it was enlarged by incorporating part of Coney Green on the south side. It again became full and in 1867 it was closed to burials in new graves, although burials continued of family members in existing graves. The last such burial was in 1948.
There are many tombstones, some of which date from the seventeenth century, but not all have survived the passage of time very well. Two of special interest are those of Major General John Russell (d.1735) and John Rich (d.1761). Major General Russell, who lived a Cedars House, was a grandson of Oliver Cromwell. His daughter Mary married Revd. Richard Mills, Vicar of Hillingdon 1724-1777 and was mother of Revd Thomas Mills, Vicar of Hillingdon 1777-1810, both of whom are buried nearby. John Rich, whose entry in the burial register records his occupation as 'comedian' was the originator of English pantomime and lessee throughout his life of the theatre that later became Covent Garden Opera House. He lived locally.
- Rob has been the Vicar at Saint John's Church since 3rd February 1997. He was born in Nottingham in 1962, the child of a Chartered Accountant and a Dance Teacher. Two years later his family moved south to Bournemouth, where they met another Accountant/Dancer couple, whose first daughter and Rob's future wife, Katharine, was just one year old.
Rob was educated at boarding schools, the first at the foot of the Malvern Hills and then at the historic Dorset town of Sherborne. During one particular school holiday, Saint Saviour's Church held a mission. Rob responded by offering his life to God, and, perceiving the choice of professions to be between monk and vicar, he opted for the latter.
After attaining his Degree at Oxford University, Rob worked full-time as a youth worker for a Christian organisation in Coventry before continuing his studies at Theological College in Birmingham. After his ordination, he served as Curate to a church in Southampton. However, full-time parish ministry was brief for Rob. Before a year was out, his drama skill had been adapted for radio and the Bishop of Winchester seconded him to be the Head of Religious Programmes at BBC Solent. Three years later, when his time as a curate came to an end, he looked to use his broadcasting experience within the church and secured a position as Communications Officer to the Bishop of Willesden, Graham Dow, and part-time Curate at Saint Gabriel's Church, Cricklewood, Greater London.
Before his appointment to St John's Church Hillingdon, Rob featured in a television documentary programme about the selection of parish priests. Although he was unsuccessful in his application to the post that was screened, this was very much to the benefit of St John's Church, which is fortunate to have as its vicar, a person who is enthusiastic, hard-working and a great preacher of sermons!
Children are welcome at the 10am service. There is a play-area at the back of the church for toddlers. Three year-olds and upwards are invited to attend Junior Church during this service. On the first Sunday of each month the Parish Service becomes the Family Service, a special treat designed to appeal to worshippers of all ages!
Full details of St. John's policy for weddings and baptisms may be obtained from the Vicar. Applicants must reside in the parish or, if living outside, attend regularly and be named on the Church's Electoral Roll. Arrangements may be discussed at Office hour, which takes place on Tuesday evenings in the church from 6.30pm weekly.
The Herald Magazine, a real bargain at only 25p per issue, is a monthly publication which caters to the needs of St. John's parishioners. The content is lively, informative, with an emphasis on parish and local activities. The Herald is shortly to celebrate its centenary and back copies are held from the turn of the century. The circulation is 350 copies per month and potential advertisers will wish to note that a year's half-page ad will only cost £40! Small ads are £15 per annum. Contact the Editor (details below).
E-Mail the Church Magazine Editor to contribute to The Herald! Please feel free to comment on the St. John's home page; constructive criticism is welcome!
E-Mail the Vicar, Revd Rob Harrison, with any questions about the Church or to query our Baptism/Wedding/Funeral policies
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