The campaign to reignite St John’s Waterloo, the well-known landmark church just south of Waterloo Bridge, has received an important boost.
A faculty (the Church of England’s version of planning permission) has been granted for significant improvements to the worship and performance space of the main floor.
Designs by Eric Parry Architects will transform St John’s, creating a top-class performance space and community hub for London. The church is home to Southbank Sinfonia, and hosts concerts and events throughout the year, including Waterloo Festival.
The decision by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Southwark follows the faculty in 2018 granted for a large-scale renovation of the crypt and vault rooms, remodelling of the street entrance to create a foyer and new access down to the lower floor.
Funds are now being raised for ReIGNITE 2021, the campaign to renovate St John’s in 2021, in time for the 70th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, when St John’s served as the Festival of Britain Church. To donate to the project, go to: https://stjohnswaterloo.
Canon Giles Goddard, vicar of St John’s, Waterloo said,
“This was the final piece of the planning jigsaw,” said Canon Giles Goddard, who has been working on the development project for 7 years.”
“Our vision for St John’s as a beacon church for London now has the green light. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped us achieve this milestone. All that remains is the funding, and we are well over halfway to reaching our £4.5 million target.”
Eric Parry, Founder & Principal of Eric Parry Architects said,
“The overall vision for St Johns Waterloo is one of creating the open door, the welcome, the space for different uses from the informal to the formal, and enable the capacity for solemnity on the one hand and celebration on the other.”
“The project is wonderful because of the simultaneity and diversity of people involved and because these spaces are able to deliver a sense of tranquillity and introspection in a world that is so manic and so stressed, their value is enormous and this is why this project is so important.”
The judgement by the Chancellor, Philip Petchey, noted,
“St John’s, Waterloo is an impressive Georgian church, prominently located at one of the transport hubs of London. The area around it is experiencing extensive redevelopment, including the building of many flats. It is close to the Royal Festival Hall and the other facilities which make the South Bank of the River a place which many people visit. The Vicar heads a dedicated team which is developing the church as a place of worship; for mission; and as a community resource. They are doing some splendid things. But much as they have achieved, they want to do more, building upon the remarkable potential which the building has.”