St Andrew's Church

St Andrew's Church is a Church of England church standing in the middle of Thornhill Square in Barnsbury, in the London Borough of Islington. It is a Victorian landmark of north London, built in the 1850s to serve a fast-growing neighbourhood, and it still gives the square its character.

Where is St Andrew's Church?

The church sits in a public garden at the centre of Thornhill Square and Thornhill Crescent, a residential area of Barnsbury in Islington, north of central London. Terraces of listed houses surround the garden, so the building is seen from the street through trees and lawns rather than from a busy main road.

Why was the church built?

In the first half of the 19th century Barnsbury filled up with new housing, and the number of residents rose quickly. Islington needed more churches to serve them. The land here belonged to the Thornhill family, and in 1852 George Thornhill donated the site for a new church. The parish of St Andrew was created in 1854 from parts of the existing parishes of Holy Trinity and All Saints.

Who designed and built it?

The design was chosen through a competition. It was completed by the architects John Johnson and Francis B. Newman. The builder was Dove Brothers, a construction firm based in Barnsbury that operated from 1781 to 1993. Construction took place in 1852-54, and Charles Blomfield, Bishop of London, consecrated the church in 1854.

How big is it?

St Andrew's was the largest of the new churches built in Islington in this period, with seating for around 1,650 people. That figure shows how large the local population had become and how important church life was in Victorian Barnsbury.

How did the church shape the square?

The church was placed in the middle of the garden, and the houses around it were built to face it. Its presence helped Thornhill Square become a respectable, sought-after address. Today the square, with its garden and church, is one of the quieter and more attractive corners of Barnsbury.

What happened to the parish later?

The parish changed over the 20th century. A mission hall in Gifford Street was run by the parish from 1882 to 1952. In 1953 the parish was united with St Thomas, Barnsbury, in 1956 with St Matthias, and in 1980 with Holy Trinity. Parish records from 1854 to 1960 are kept by the London Metropolitan Archives under the reference P83/AND1, which is useful for anyone researching local or family history.

Frequently asked questions

When was St Andrew's Church built? It was built in 1852-54 and consecrated in 1854.

Who designed it? John Johnson and Francis B. Newman, following a design competition.

Who gave the land? George Thornhill donated the site in 1852.

Can I find historical records of the parish? Yes. The London Metropolitan Archives hold the parish records for 1854-1960.

What else is nearby? The surrounding Thornhill Square and Crescent are Victorian streets of listed houses, pleasant for a short walk around Barnsbury.