IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Chambers Walk, STANMORE, HA7 4FN

The new St John's church was built as the old structure has become unsafe. The old church is now slightly ruined, but well maintained. This picture was taken from within the ruin of the old church. Access is allowed to the public for limited times during the summer months

There are two churches in Stanmore Churchyard. The old one was consecrated in 1632 by Archbishop Laud. The new church was begun in 1849 and contains much of the furnishings of the old church. A very full account of both churches can be seen at https://www.stanmoretouristboard.org.uk/churches/st-johns-brick-church-ruin-stanmore.html Ian Nairn in Nairn's London (1966) says "Behind a mean-minded Victorian church, the ruins of the old one are dissolving away in gentle melancholy. It was built in 1631 by Archbishop Laud to be the old religion revived, very Gothic, though using up-to-date bricks. Now it is roofless, with a mouldering Victorian tomb in the nave, and a triste churchyard around. But lovable, not horrible: bramble and roses growing up to the walls and over the mass-produced headstones; soft, tender dissolution, the kind of end that most people would wish for... Long may it stay so. Gray's Elegy should have been written here, instead of at Stoke Poges." In the foreground with the angel is the grave of W.S. Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan. He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium and his ashes buried here.

There are two churches in Stanmore Churchyard. The old one was consecrated in 1632 by Archbishop Laud. The new church was begun in 1849 and contains much of the furnishings of the old church - see https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43806 Ian Nairn in Nairn's London (1966) says "Behind a mean-minded Victorian church, the ruins of the old one are dissolving away in gentle melancholy. It was built in 1631 by Archbishop Laud to be the old religion revived, very Gothic, though using up-to-date bricks. Now it is roofless, with a mouldering Victorian tomb in the nave, and a triste churchyard around. But lovable, not horrible: bramble and roses growing up to the walls and over the mass-produced headstones; soft, tender dissolution, the kind of end that most people would wish for... Long may it stay so. Gray's Elegy should have been written here, instead of at Stoke Poges." There are plans, which can be seen in the new church, to restore the old church, reroof it and make it into a community space. Inside the old church is the mausoleum of the Hollond family which can be seen ahead here. A very full account of both churches, including the story of the Hollond family, can be seen at https://www.stanmoretouristboard.org.uk/churches/st-johns-brick-church-ruin-stanmore.html

There are two churches in Stanmore Churchyard. The old one was consecrated in 1632 by Archbishop Laud. The new church was begun in 1849 and contains much of the furnishings of the old church - see https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43806 Ian Nairn in Nairn's London (1966) says "Behind a mean-minded Victorian church, the ruins of the old one are dissolving away in gentle melancholy. It was built in 1631 by Archbishop Laud to be the old religion revived, very Gothic, though using up-to-date bricks. Now it is roofless, with a mouldering Victorian tomb in the nave, and a triste churchyard around. But lovable, not horrible: bramble and roses growing up to the walls and over the mass-produced headstones; soft, tender dissolution, the kind of end that most people would wish for... Long may it stay so. Gray's Elegy should have been written here, instead of at Stoke Poges." There are plans, which can be seen in the new church, to restore the old church, reroof it and make it into a community space. Inside the old church is the mausoleum of the Hollond family which can be seen ahead here. A very full account of both churches, including the story of the Hollond family, can be seen at https://www.stanmoretouristboard.org.uk/churches/st-johns-brick-church-ruin-stanmore.html

The brick church here served as the parish church of Great Stanmore from the mid-seventeenth century to the mid-nineteenth, when it was replaced by a Victorian building that shares the same churchyard.

There are two churches in Stanmore Churchyard. The old one was consecrated in 1632 by Archbishop Laud. The new church was begun in 1849 and contains much of the furnishings of the old church. Ian Nairn in Nairn's London (1966) says "Behind a mean-minded Victorian church, the ruins of the old one are dissolving away in gentle melancholy. It was built in 1631 by Archbishop Laud to be the old religion revived, very Gothic, though using up-to-date bricks. Now it is roofless, with a mouldering Victorian tomb in the nave, and a triste churchyard around. But lovable, not horrible: bramble and roses growing up to the walls and over the mass-produced headstones; soft, tender dissolution, the kind of end that most people would wish for... Long may it stay so. Gray's Elegy should have been written here, instead of at Stoke Poges." This view from the west end shows the "mouldering Victorian tomb in the nave" mentioned by Nairn.

There are two churches in Stanmore Churchyard. The old one was consecrated in 1632 by Archbishop Laud. The new church was begun in 1849 and contains much of the furnishings of the old church. Ian Nairn in Nairn's London (1966) says "Behind a mean-minded Victorian church, the ruins of the old one are dissolving away in gentle melancholy. It was built in 1631 by Archbishop Laud to be the old religion revived, very Gothic, though using up-to-date bricks. Now it is roofless, with a mouldering Victorian tomb in the nave, and a triste churchyard around. But lovable, not horrible: bramble and roses growing up to the walls and over the mass-produced headstones; soft, tender dissolution, the kind of end that most people would wish for... Long may it stay so. Gray's Elegy should have been written here, instead of at Stoke Poges."

There are two churches in Stanmore Churchyard. The old one was consecrated in 1632 by Archbishop Laud. The new church was begun in 1849 and contains much of the furnishings of the old church. A very full account of both churches can be seen at https://www.stanmoretouristboard.org.uk/churches/st-johns-brick-church-ruin-stanmore.html Ian Nairn in Nairn's London (1966) says "Behind a mean-minded Victorian church, the ruins of the old one are dissolving away in gentle melancholy. It was built in 1631 by Archbishop Laud to be the old religion revived, very Gothic, though using up-to-date bricks. Now it is roofless, with a mouldering Victorian tomb in the nave, and a triste churchyard around. But lovable, not horrible: bramble and roses growing up to the walls and over the mass-produced headstones; soft, tender dissolution, the kind of end that most people would wish for... Long may it stay so. Gray's Elegy should have been written here, instead of at Stoke Poges." In the foreground with the angel is the grave of W.S. Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan. He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium and his ashes buried here.