Skip to main content

St John’s Church in Torquay, 1867-1880

 


Old photo of the interior of St John’s Church in Torquay, taken between 1867 and 1880. From the archives of Cornell University Library, uploaded to Flikr.


St John’s: The Gothic Jewel of Torquay Harbor

St John’s Church is much more than a place of worship; it is a masterpiece of Victorian craftsmanship. Built during the peak of Torquay's prosperity, the church was designed to be a "sermon in stone," using the finest materials and the most famous artists of the 19th century.

1. A Rare Grade I Masterpiece

St John’s holds a Grade I listing, a rare honor shared by only about 2.5% of listed buildings in England.

  • National Importance: This status places it in the same league as landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral, marking it as a building of "exceptional interest."

  • Victorian Pride: Most churches with this rating are medieval; it is unusual for a Victorian building to receive such high architectural praise.

2. Designed by a Titan of Architecture

The church was designed by George Edmund Street, one of the most famous architects of the 19th century.

  • Famous Portfolio: Street is best known for designing the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

  • Engineering Feat: Because the church is built on a steep limestone cliff, Street had to "hew" the building out of the rock. The limestone blasted from the hillside was actually used to build the church's own walls.

3. A Pre-Raphaelite Art Gallery

The interior of St John’s houses world-class art from the Pre-Raphaelite movement.

  • William Morris & Co: The stunning East and West windows were created by the legendary firm of William Morris.

  • Burne-Jones Designs: Many of the figures in the stained glass were designed by the famous artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones. The windows are celebrated for their deep, "jewel-like" colors and intricate detail.

4. The Venetian "Salviati" Mosaics

To add to its luxury, the church features extensive glass mosaics created in Venice.

  • Italian Craftsmanship: These mosaics were commissioned from the studio of Antonio Salviati, the same artist who worked on St Mark’s Basilica in Venice and the Albert Memorial in London.

  • A Rare Sight: The mosaics illustrate the life of St John and remain remarkably vibrant more than a century after they were installed.

5. A Unique "Full Immersion" Font

St John’s is one of the few Anglican churches in England to feature a full immersion font.

  • Design: Carved from a single block of local marble, the font is sunk nearly four feet below the floor level and is reached by stone steps.

  • Ritual: It was built to allow for adult baptism by immersion, a practice championed by the "High Church" movement of the time.

6. The Hillside Navigational Beacon

For over 150 years, the church tower has served a practical purpose for sailors entering Torbay.

  • The "Helm" Roof: The tower features a distinctive pointed roof (known as a "Helm" roof), which was inspired by churches Street had seen in Germany and Switzerland.

  • Harbor Landmark: Its high position on the hillside makes it a perfect navigational landmark. In 1951, a large illuminated cross was added to the tower facing the sea, serving as a beacon for ships returning to the harbor at night.

Historical Timeline

  • 1861: Construction begins on the new church, designed to replace a smaller chapel.

  • 1885: The distinctive tower is finally completed, and a massive 19cwt bell is installed.

  • 2009: A figure from the church’s Burne-Jones window is featured on a Royal Mail Christmas stamp, bringing national attention to the church's art.

Helpful Links

Labels:
Location: Torquay, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Old Images of Spokane, Washington: Vintage Photos and Archive Film

Glimpse history through old images of  Spokane , Washington. Spokane  in 1902 Panorama of Spokane, Washington, taken sometime around 1902. With thanks to the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Closeup of two extracts from the panorama of Spokane, Washington, taken sometime around 1902. With thanks to the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Closeup of two extracts from the panorama of  Spokane , Washington, taken sometime around 1902. With thanks to the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Spokane ’s Davenport Restaurant Spokane ’s Davenport Restaurant was an internationally renowned venue which offered popular Sunday afternoon tea dances. Old photo of the Davenport Restaurant in Spokane, Washington, taken around 1908. With thanks to the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Closeup of an extract of the old photo of the Davenport Restaurant in  Spokane , Washington, taken around 1908. With thanks to the...
Post a Comment
Read more

The History of Manchester, New Hampshire and the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company

  The story of Manchester, New Hampshire, is the definitive narrative of the American Industrial Revolution. It is a chronicle that spans centuries, transforming a vital Indigenous fishing ground into a planned corporate utopia that housed the world's largest textile empire, before navigating a devastating collapse and emerging as a modern high-tech hub. At the absolute center of this transformation was the Merrimack River, the Amoskeag Falls, and a corporate behemoth known as the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. Manchester, New Hampshire, composed from sketches taken near Rock Raymond by J.B. Bachelder, 1855. 1. Ancient Waters and Colonial Beginnings (Pre-1810) Long before brick mills lined the Merrimack River, the geography of modern-day Manchester was shaped by the Amoskeag Falls . Dropping approximately 55 feet over a short distance, the roaring rapids created a massive natural barrier for migrating fish—and an invaluable resource for human inhabitants. Walking along the street ...
Post a Comment
Read more

10 Historical Facts That Shaped North Conway, New Hampshire

  Nestled dramatically beneath the sheer granite cliffs of Cathedral Ledge in Carroll County, North Conway, New Hampshire , is famous as a premier gateway to the White Mountains. Unlike a standalone municipality, North Conway is a distinct major village legally contained within the broader township of Conway. Its evolution from a fertile Abenaki riverfront valley into a haven for 19th-century fine artists and a pioneer of American winter sports represents one of the most successful resort transitions in New England. Old photo of the skimobile up Cranmore Mountain, North Conway, NH - circa 1940   Part of the Original 1765 Royal Charter: North Conway’s municipal history began on October 1, 1765 , when colonial Governor Benning Wentworth issued a formal royal charter establishing the township of Conway. Named directly to honor Henry Seymour Conway—a prominent British statesman and military commander who championed colonial interests in Parliament—the grant required early pioneer...
Post a Comment
Read more