St John’s Porch (old church)

Original titleSt John’s Church Porch
Year painted1824
Museum reference numberPR178
Address and postcodeManor Farm Lane, Egham TW20 9HL
Listed building numberGrade II11/07/51
List entry: 1028978
Construction date of building depicted and major alterationsProbably 15th century. Certainly later than the old church itself which was mid 12th century
History of ownership/residents and useIt seems likely that Hassell has made this picture either from memory or from an earlier sketch as the old church was already demolished by 1824. His depiction also appears less ornate than that described in The Topographical History of Surrey: ‘The Norman doorway was surmounted and surrounded by a fanciful, yet pleasing arrangement of the zigzag, billet, and other mouldings, boldly sculptured; and the capitals of the side columns were diversified by grotesque ornaments. It was inclosed by a large porch of wood, erected in a later age, and in the pointed style: this had a gable roof, and a buttress on each side the entrance. The windows, which were somewhat tall and narrow, were each separated by a mullion into two divisions, with a quatrefoil and other tracery in the headings.’

When the old church was demolished in 1817 the north porch was moved to Little St Anne’s, Bakenham Lane, Callow Hill. It was subsequently re-erected as lychgate to the current church in 1938.
Location’s present statusStands as lychgate to the current church.
Links and referencesSee also St John’s (old church) and the various images for St John’s (new church).
Another illustration by John Carter can be found in A Topographical History of Surrey, 1842, p.259.