St John the Baptist Churchyard (Barnet)
Brief Description
St John's Church was in the centre of the medieval village of Chipping Barnet, which developed to the west of the village of East Barnet where the main parish church was. Until the 1830s the area was largely woods, commonland and fields. In 1420 an earlier church at Chipping Barnet was rebuilt by the Abbot of St Albans; it became a parish in its own right in 1866. In 1870-75 a larger church was built although many of the old monuments were preserved and include the tomb of Thomas Ravenscroft (d.1630). The churchyard has been made into a garden and has grass, mature trees and seating. Barnet War Memorial, originally located in front of the church, was unveiled in 1921.
Practical Information
- Previous / Other name:
- Parish Church of Chipping Barnet, Barnet Church
- Site location:
- Wood Street/High Street, Barnet
- Postcode:
- EN5 4BW
- What 3 Words:
- luck.lucky.legs
- Type of site:
- Public Gardens
- Borough:
- Barnet
- Open to public?
- Yes
- Opening times:
- unrestricted (church open)
- Special conditions:
- Facilities:
- Events:
- Church tower open on Saturday mornings in July & August; music recitals
- Public transport:
- Tube: High Barnet (Northern).
- Research updated:
- 01/08/2000
- Last minor changes:
- 19/07/2023
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news.
Full Site Description
The Church of St John was in the centre of the old village of Chipping Barnet, which dates from medieval times and which had developed to the west of the original village of East Barnet. Chipping Barnet village, situated at the top of the hill along the route of the Great North Road had become important as a travellers' stopping point which by the end of the C18th had a number of inns and facilities for changing horses. Reputedly, St Albans is visible from the church tower. Until the 1830s the area was largely woods, commonland and fields. Chipping Barnet's church was a subsidiary to the main parish church at East Barnet. In 1420 an earlier church was rebuilt by the Abbot of St Albans, John de Moote, paid for by John Beauchamp. It became a parish in its own right in 1866 and in 1870-75 a larger church was then built to designs by William Butterfield at a cost of £16,000, adding a nave and an aisle. However, many of the old monuments were preserved and can still be seen. These include the tomb of Thomas Ravenscroft (d.1630), a huge canopied affair with a tablet to his wife and his son James who has a bust in the chapel, both benefactors to Barnet. James Ravenscroft founded Jesus Hospital almshouses for 6 poor women on Wood Street in 1679, which has initials on the gate piers surmounted by lions, so-called because Ravenscroft was a graduate of Jesus College Cambridge. Nearby Ravenscroft Park (q.v.) commemorates them.
The churchyard has been made into a garden and has grass, mature trees and seating, with some recent planting established in memory of Peter Burrows (d.1981), Sydney Clements and Jack Hasler (d.1984). Barnet War Memorial was unveiled in April 1921 by General Lord Byng. It was originally located in front of the church.
Sources consulted:
Arthur Mee 'The King's England: London North of the Thames except the City and Westminster' (Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 1972); Andrew Duncan, 'Walking Village London', (New Holland, 1997).
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ242964 (524510,196470)
- Size in hectares:
- Site ownership:
- Diocese of St Albans
- Site management:
- Church
- Date(s):
- C13th; 15th
- Designer(s):
- Listed structures:
- LBII*: St John's Church. LBII: Church House
- On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:
No- Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:
No- Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:
No
Local Authority Data
The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.
- On Local List:
- No
- In Conservation Area:
- Yes
- Conservation Area name:
- Wood Street
- Tree Preservation Order:
- Not known
- Nature Conservation Area:
- No
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- Yes - Area of Special Archaeological Significance
- Other LA designation:
- None
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.