Among the previous incumbent priests have been Rev. Thomas Helmore (1873-1874), a noted authority on plainsong and English choral music; and Rev. Cecil Horsley, who was vicar from 1934 until 1938, when he was appointed Bishop of Colombo in the Church of Ceylon, later becoming Bishop of Gibraltar.
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The church interior is noted for the quality of its acoustics and it is frequently used by classical music artists for CD recordings, including His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts, Florilegium and I Fagiolini.
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The church was damaged by the bombing during the Second World War and restoration work was carried out by the conservation architects Caroe & Partners between 1946 and 1951.
Built in the 1850s to the design of architect Arthur Ashpitel, it provided "an important visual and spiritual focus" to a rapidly growing high-class residential area.
The Reverend Angela Tilby served as honorary priest from 1997–2006 until her appointment as vicar of St Benet's church.
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Prof Stephen Sykes, formerly Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, and subsequently Bishop of Ely, served as curate at St John's from 1985–1990.
The arches are of Decorated style, and Pevsner suggests that they are part of an earlier build.
The foundation stone was laid on 30 June 1837 by Adam Sedgwick, Professor of Geology at Cambridge University.
Also by her is the lectern with a base of bog oak, and another base in the form of a palm tree that was intended to form part of the pulpit.
Most of the stained glass was made in the early and mid 20th century by William Morris of Westminster.
The rich internal fittings include a complete scheme of stained glass by Goodhart-Rendel's favoured designer Joseph Ledger and a 16th-century painting by Ortolano Ferrarese.
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The new parish was formed from the section of Preston parish west of the Brighton Main Line, previously within the jurisdiction of St John the Evangelist's Church, and part of the parish of St Luke's Church on Old Shoreham Road.
Geoffrey founded two hospitals in Berkhamsted, one dedicated to St John the Baptist and one to St John the Evangelist; the latter is still commemorated in the town with the name St John's Well Lane.
The Trust administers five former churches in West Sussex; the others are at Chichester, Church Norton, Tortington and Warminghurst.
It was the parish church of Preston until 1908, when the newly built St John the Evangelist's Church gained this status.