St John Horsleydown

St John Horsleydown is a former Anglican church in Bermondsey, South London, whose story combines Baroque architecture, a grand national building programme and wartime destruction. You will not find the original building intact today, but the site still tells a distinctive piece of London's history.

What was St John Horsleydown?

The church served as the parish church of Horsleydown, a district on the Thames in Bermondsey. It stood in Fair Street, just south of the junction with Tooley Street, close to Tower Bridge and the old docklands. It was built in 1726–1733 for the Commission for Building Fifty New Churches, a state programme meant to provide churches for the fast-growing parts of London and its surroundings.

Who designed it?

The designs were by Nicholas Hawksmoor and John James. Hawksmoor is among the best-known English architects of the Baroque era and the creator of several landmark London churches. St John Horsleydown stood out above all for its tower: the spire took the form of a tapering column. That idea set it apart from the typical English church steeple and made it a recognisable feature of the local skyline.

What happened during the war?

During the Blitz in 1940 the church was severely damaged by bombing. Only the north, west and east walls remained standing, yet the parish continued to use the building. The parish was eventually merged with St Mary Magdalen, and the ruins never regained their former glory.

What remains today?

In 1976 a new building was completed on the site, now home to the London City Mission. It rises out of the remains of the old walls, and the surviving plinth of the original structure lies beneath it. The former churchyard, St John's Churchyard, was designated a public recreation garden as early as 1882, so it still offers a green place to rest in a densely built-up area. The adjacent vicarage and the Vestry Hall with its Watch House also survived enemy action.

Frequently asked questions

Is St John Horsleydown still a working church? No. It is a former church. A building from 1976 stands on the site and houses the London City Mission.

Where exactly is it? In Bermondsey, South London, on Fair Street south of Tooley Street, not far from the Thames and Tower Bridge.

Who designed the church? Nicholas Hawksmoor and John James, in 1726–1733.

What was special about its tower? Its spire was shaped like a tapering column, a rarity among English church towers.

Can I visit the area? Yes. The former churchyard is open as a public garden, and a visit combines easily with a walk along Bermondsey Street and the Thames riverside.

Who is it for?

It suits lovers of architecture, London history and Hawksmoor's work, as well as anyone looking for a quiet corner away from the tourist crowds. It makes a short, interesting stop on a walk along the south bank of the Thames, showing how the city changed after the war and how old ruins found a new purpose.