ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, SHIRLEY
Another contribution to this series, started by sadexploration
In July 1836, a small chapel, dedicated to St John the Evangelist was opened in Shirley, built to accommodate upwards of 200 people. As the neighbourhood grew the Chapel proved to be too small and Lord Ashburton gave a plot of land adjoining the chapel yard in order to provide a site for a new larger place of worship. In the autumn of 1854 building of the new church was commenced from the designs of Sir Gilbert Scott. It was intended to accommodate 350 persons but by a little rearrangement, 450 were seated at the consecration.
The design is early Gothic, surmounted by a pretty spire; the exterior is composed of flints, with Tunbridge sand-stone and Kentish rag-stone dressings. The principal entrance is through a porch facing the road via a lych gate and path.
The parents of John Ruskin are buried here and when you look around the graveyard you will see some interesting gravestones.
Make your way to the Greek Temple at N51 22.306 W00 03.021 under the resting place of a flock of parakeets and find the memorial to Arthur Gurney Preston, born Oct A BCDE, died Aug FG HIJK. (see spoiler photo)
The cache can be found at: N51 22.(I-D)(D-E-F)(A+F) W00 02.(D+J)(E-B)(G-J)
Suggested parking in Spring Park Road.
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If anybody would like to expand this series please do. We would just ask that you contact sadexploration first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names and to avoid duplication.
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