St Augustine's Tower Hackney
Encyclopedia
St Augustine's Tower stands in St John's Church Gardens, in Hackney Central
, in the London Borough of Hackney
, just off the southern end of the Narrow Way (formerly Church Street). It is all that remains of the early 16th century parish
church of Hackney of St Augustine
, which replaced the 13th century medieval church founded by the Knights of St John. The Tower comprises four stages beneath a restored parapet with diagonal buttressing. A fine working 16th century turret clock has remained on the third floor of the Tower since at least 1608. The Tower and contents are Grade I listed.
became a sinecure rectory in 1275. This meant there was a Vicar
and a Rector
representing the parish, both positions being in the gift of the Bishop of London
, and the parish served the entire area of the present London Borough of Hackney
until the parish was eventually divided up in the 18th century. Many of the position holders were absentee pluralists (ie. they had other jobs, and Hackney just formed a part of their income). From the 14th century to the 17th century the church was dedicated to St Augustine
. But from about 1660, the church was dedicated to St John of Jerusalem, St
John the Baptist
, and known as St John at Hackney, representing the links of the parish with the Order of St John of Jerusalem.
The church tower was constructed as part of the early 16th century rebuilding of the church itself, commemorated by the arms of Sir John Heron (d. 1521) carved between each arch of the nave
and also placed, with those of the rector Christopher Urswick
(d. 1522), in the chancel
. Thereafter the church consisted of a chancel, aisled and clerestoreyed nave, and south-west tower. The "so-called" Rowe Chapel, properly a mausoleum, was built on the south side of the chancel in 1614 and a vestry
was added on the north side. In 1741, the church measured 105 feet (32 m) along its north wall and 64 feet (19.5 m) across; the tower bore a vane surmounted by a crown which reached to 118 feet (36 m). The walls, with fenestration of c.1500, showed a variety of materials, as they did at the time of the church's demolition, when the exterior presented 'an incomprehensible jumble of dissonant repairs, without a trace of the original building, except the windows of part of it'. Blackburn died suddenly in November 1790; James Spiller, a friend of Sir
John Soane
, was chosen from six architect candidates to replace him as designer of the new church.
In Tudor times
, many members of the court used the church, including Ralph Sadleir (Bryck Place), Thomas Sutton
(The Tan House), Thomas Cromwell and the Earl of Northumberland
(Brooke House). Samuel Pepys
visited the church in 1667, after resting at the local Mermaid Inn, he remarked on the fine organ but confessed in his diary that which we went chiefly to see was the young ladies of the schools, whereof this is great store, very pretty. Hackney being renowned for its girls schools, at the time.
The constant increasing of Hackney's population meant that galleries were added to the church, and by 1789 it was able to hold a congregation upwards of 1,000. This was still inadequate to the needs of the parish, and on the advice of architect William Blackburn
, the vestry petitioned Parliament
in 1790, for the church's complete rebuilding at an adjacent site to the North. Blackburn died suddenly in November 1790; James Spiller, a friend of John Soane
, was chosen from six architect candidates to replace him as designer of the new church.
The body of the old church was pulled down in 1798, with many of the monuments preserved in the new Church of St John-at-Hackney
. The stone was sold as building material. The extent of the original church is marked by four cornerstones to the East of the Tower. The Tower remained to house the eight bells of Hackney, these were finally relocated in the new church in 1854, after the new church Tower was underpinned to take the weight.
became responsible for the maintenance of the Tower and gardens in 1912. In more recent times, the Tower was made safe in 1983; and has been used for occasional art exhibits. It is normally opened as part of London Open House each year. Since 1990, the Tower has been in the care of the Hackney Historic Buildings Trust. A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund
has made possible repairs and improvements and a permanent exhibition on the history of the Tower, and its church, has now opened to the public on Sundays. It is now possible to climb its narrow winding stairway to the roof.
St John's Church Gardens, around the Tower and later church were awarded both a Green Flag award
, and Green Flag Heritage status, in 2008.
Hackney Central
Hackney Central is the central district of the London Borough of Hackney in London, England. It comprises the area roughly surrounding, and extending north from Mare Street. It is situated north east of Charing Cross...
, in the London Borough of Hackney
London Borough of Hackney
The London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council....
, just off the southern end of the Narrow Way (formerly Church Street). It is all that remains of the early 16th century parish
Hackney (parish)
Hackney was a parish in the historic county of Middlesex. The parish church of St John-at-Hackney was built in 1789, replacing the nearby former 16th century parish church dedicated to St Augustine . The original tower of that church was retained to hold the bells until the new church could be...
church of Hackney of St Augustine
Augustine of Canterbury
Augustine of Canterbury was a Benedictine monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597...
, which replaced the 13th century medieval church founded by the Knights of St John. The Tower comprises four stages beneath a restored parapet with diagonal buttressing. A fine working 16th century turret clock has remained on the third floor of the Tower since at least 1608. The Tower and contents are Grade I listed.
History
The parish church of HackneyHackney (parish)
Hackney was a parish in the historic county of Middlesex. The parish church of St John-at-Hackney was built in 1789, replacing the nearby former 16th century parish church dedicated to St Augustine . The original tower of that church was retained to hold the bells until the new church could be...
became a sinecure rectory in 1275. This meant there was a Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
and a Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
representing the parish, both positions being in the gift of the Bishop of London
Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey...
, and the parish served the entire area of the present London Borough of Hackney
Hackney
-Places:* London Borough of Hackney, formed in 1965** Metropolitan Borough of Hackney, formed in 1900 and abolished in 1965** Hackney Central** Hackney Central , a political division of the Council** Hackney Central railway station** Hackney College...
until the parish was eventually divided up in the 18th century. Many of the position holders were absentee pluralists (ie. they had other jobs, and Hackney just formed a part of their income). From the 14th century to the 17th century the church was dedicated to St Augustine
Augustine of Canterbury
Augustine of Canterbury was a Benedictine monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597...
. But from about 1660, the church was dedicated to St John of Jerusalem, St
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
, and known as St John at Hackney, representing the links of the parish with the Order of St John of Jerusalem.
The church tower was constructed as part of the early 16th century rebuilding of the church itself, commemorated by the arms of Sir John Heron (d. 1521) carved between each arch of the nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
and also placed, with those of the rector Christopher Urswick
Christopher Urswick
Christopher Urswick was a priest and confessor of Margaret Beaufort. He was Rector of Puttenham, Hampshire, and later Dean of Windsor...
(d. 1522), in the chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
. Thereafter the church consisted of a chancel, aisled and clerestoreyed nave, and south-west tower. The "so-called" Rowe Chapel, properly a mausoleum, was built on the south side of the chancel in 1614 and a vestry
Vestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
was added on the north side. In 1741, the church measured 105 feet (32 m) along its north wall and 64 feet (19.5 m) across; the tower bore a vane surmounted by a crown which reached to 118 feet (36 m). The walls, with fenestration of c.1500, showed a variety of materials, as they did at the time of the church's demolition, when the exterior presented 'an incomprehensible jumble of dissonant repairs, without a trace of the original building, except the windows of part of it'. Blackburn died suddenly in November 1790; James Spiller, a friend of Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
John Soane
John Soane
Sir John Soane, RA was an English architect who specialised in the Neo-Classical style. His architectural works are distinguished by their clean lines, massing of simple form, decisive detailing, careful proportions and skilful use of light sources...
, was chosen from six architect candidates to replace him as designer of the new church.
Tudor period
The Tudor period usually refers to the period between 1485 and 1603, specifically in relation to the history of England. This coincides with the rule of the Tudor dynasty in England whose first monarch was Henry VII...
, many members of the court used the church, including Ralph Sadleir (Bryck Place), Thomas Sutton
Thomas Sutton
Thomas Sutton was an English civil servant and businessman as well as being the founder of Charterhouse School. He was the son of an official of the city of Lincoln, and was educated at Eton College and probably at Cambridge...
(The Tan House), Thomas Cromwell and the Earl of Northumberland
Earl of Northumberland
The title of Earl of Northumberland was created several times in the Peerages of England and Great Britain, succeeding the title Earl of Northumbria. Its most famous holders were the House of Percy , who were the most powerful noble family in Northern England for much of the Middle Ages...
(Brooke House). Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys FRS, MP, JP, was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament who is now most famous for the diary he kept for a decade while still a relatively young man...
visited the church in 1667, after resting at the local Mermaid Inn, he remarked on the fine organ but confessed in his diary that which we went chiefly to see was the young ladies of the schools, whereof this is great store, very pretty. Hackney being renowned for its girls schools, at the time.
The constant increasing of Hackney's population meant that galleries were added to the church, and by 1789 it was able to hold a congregation upwards of 1,000. This was still inadequate to the needs of the parish, and on the advice of architect William Blackburn
William Blackburn
William Blackburn was the leading prison architect of the Georgian Era. Following the principles of John Howard, his designs aimed to provide inmates with dry and airy cells....
, the vestry petitioned Parliament
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
in 1790, for the church's complete rebuilding at an adjacent site to the North. Blackburn died suddenly in November 1790; James Spiller, a friend of John Soane
John Soane
Sir John Soane, RA was an English architect who specialised in the Neo-Classical style. His architectural works are distinguished by their clean lines, massing of simple form, decisive detailing, careful proportions and skilful use of light sources...
, was chosen from six architect candidates to replace him as designer of the new church.
The body of the old church was pulled down in 1798, with many of the monuments preserved in the new Church of St John-at-Hackney
Church of St John-at-Hackney
The Church of St John at Hackney is situated in the London Borough of Hackney. It was built in 1792, in an open field, north east of Hackney's medieval parish church, of which only St Augustine's Tower remains...
. The stone was sold as building material. The extent of the original church is marked by four cornerstones to the East of the Tower. The Tower remained to house the eight bells of Hackney, these were finally relocated in the new church in 1854, after the new church Tower was underpinned to take the weight.
In modern times
The Tower was subsequently used as a public mortuary, and a tool shed for the gardens of St John. The Metropolitan Borough of HackneyMetropolitan Borough of Hackney
The Metropolitan Borough of Hackney was a Metropolitan borough of the County of London from 1900 to 1965. Its area became part of the London Borough of Hackney.-Formation and boundaries:...
became responsible for the maintenance of the Tower and gardens in 1912. In more recent times, the Tower was made safe in 1983; and has been used for occasional art exhibits. It is normally opened as part of London Open House each year. Since 1990, the Tower has been in the care of the Hackney Historic Buildings Trust. A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage...
has made possible repairs and improvements and a permanent exhibition on the history of the Tower, and its church, has now opened to the public on Sundays. It is now possible to climb its narrow winding stairway to the roof.
St John's Church Gardens, around the Tower and later church were awarded both a Green Flag award
Green Flag award
The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The scheme was set up in 1996 to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid down high standards...
, and Green Flag Heritage status, in 2008.
External links
- Hackney Parish churches at British History Online
- Site specific sound installation in St Augustine's Tower Sept-Oct 2007
See also
- The parish of HackneyHackney (parish)Hackney was a parish in the historic county of Middlesex. The parish church of St John-at-Hackney was built in 1789, replacing the nearby former 16th century parish church dedicated to St Augustine . The original tower of that church was retained to hold the bells until the new church could be...