St. John's Church, Smith Square

St. John's Church, Smith Square. Located in the heart of Westminster, this iconic English Baroque building is a celebrated concert hall, renowned for its exceptional acoustics and ambitious programming. Designed by Thomas Archer and completed in 1728, its striking, somewhat turbulent architectural form has earned it the affectionate nickname "Queen Anne's Footstool." Following severe damage during the Blitz, it was deconsecrated and brilliantly repurposed, becoming a cornerstone of London's musical life since 1969.

History

The church's construction was funded by the Commission for Building Fifty New Churches, established under the Queen Anne's Bounty Act of 1711. The commission selected the prominent architect Thomas Archer, who had studied under Sir John Vanbrugh, to design a new place of worship for the growing population in this area of Westminster. The foundation stone was laid in 1713, but construction progressed slowly, hampered by financial difficulties and the complex design; it was not consecrated for use by the Church of England until 1728. For over two centuries, it served its parish, with notable incumbents including the hymn writer John Bacchus Dykes. Its fortunes changed dramatically on the night of 10 May 1941, when a German incendiary bomb during the Blitz caused a devastating fire, leaving only the exterior walls and the distinctive towers standing. After lying as a shell for decades, a restoration campaign led by the Viscountess Eccles and supported by the Gulbenkian Foundation secured its future, not as a church, but as a secular cultural venue.

Architecture

Thomas Archer's design is a masterful and idiosyncratic example of the English Baroque style, influenced by his travels to Italy and the works of architects like Francesco Borromini. The plan is a Greek cross, with four identical facades, each dominated by a dramatic, deeply recessed portico. The most famous feature is the quartet of ornate, lantern-topped towers at each corner, which gave rise to the apocryphal story that a perplexed Queen Anne kicked over her footstool when asked for a design approval. The interior, reconstructed after the war, is a grand, spacious volume with a central dome, though the original lavish decoration by craftsmen such as James Gibbs was lost. The church is a Grade I listed building, recognizing its exceptional architectural and historic importance.

Use as a concert hall

Reopening in 1969 as "St. John's, Smith Square," the building found a new and celebrated purpose. Its superb acoustics and atmospheric setting made it an instant success as a venue for chamber music, orchestral performances, and song recitals. It quickly became the London home for many esteemed ensembles, including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the BBC Singers, and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. The venue is particularly renowned for its annual BBC broadcast of the Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and for hosting the finals of prestigious competitions like the BBC Young Musician award. Its programming is both diverse and ambitious, spanning from early music performed on period instruments to contemporary commissions, solidifying its reputation as one of Europe's leading recital halls.

Organ

The church houses a significant and historically important organ. The original instrument was built in the 18th century by Johann Snetzler, but it was destroyed in the 1941 fire. The present organ was constructed in 1970 by the Danish firm Marcussen & Søn, incorporating some surviving pipework from the previous instrument built by Hill & Son in the 19th century. It is a large, mechanical-action instrument with four manuals and pedals, specifically designed to meet the demands of the building's extensive concert repertoire, from the works of Johann Sebastian Bach to modern compositions. It is frequently used for recordings and recitals, including the long-running series by the London Festival of Baroque Music.

Burials and memorials

Although no longer a consecrated building, it contains several historic memorials and burials. The most notable interment is that of the architect himself, Thomas Archer, who was buried in the vaults in 1743. A monument to William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath, a powerful Whig politician and one of the church's early commissioners, can be found within. Other memorials commemorate various parishioners and clergy from its active years, serving as a tangible link to the building's original ecclesiastical life amidst its current cultural vocation. These historical features are carefully preserved alongside its modern function.

Category:Concert halls in London Category:Grade I listed churches in London Category:English Baroque architecture Category:Former churches in the City of Westminster Category:Music venues completed in 1969