The First Church

In the early part of the 19th century when Sidcup was a small village lying largely in the parish of Chislehurst and partly in that of Foots Cray , the inhabitants of Sidcup had to walk some distance to St.Nicholas Church in Chislehurst or to All Saints in Foots Cray.Due to the growth in population, there arose a demand for a new church to be built in what was called East Chislehurst.

Building commenced in 1841 and, on 16th April 1844, the first church in Sidcup, under the title of St.John the Evangelist, was consecrated by George Murray, Bishop of Rochester.
Although by this time the parish of St.John had been formed , for a short time the church was known as St.John the Evangelist, East Chislehurst.

The Church was built largely by contributions fron Lord Sydney, Lord Bexley and Harold Berens Esq.

The most striking features of the church were the twin towers topped with steeples at the west end, and the arcade (or ambulatory) round three sides of the church.
The latter unusual feature supported the interior galleries.

The Second Church

In 1882 the church was a very primitive place with no chancel, but what was called an apse, sufficiently large to hold the communion table, but little else.

When the new Vicar, the Rev.T.C Lewis, was appointed in 1882, he set in train another building programme. He set to work to build a chancel, the foundation stone of which was laid by
Bishop Jenner on St. Swithin's day, 15th July 1882. The Chancel and Lady chapel were consecrated on 31st October 1882, the eve of All Saints' Day,by Edward Parry, Suffragan Bishop of Dover, Archbishop Tait being on his death-bed at the time.

The cost of these, together with the vestries (all of which are found in the present church) was £2,500 which was paid for by Rev. Lewis himself. The existing nave was later extended by
a tempory extension westwards, beyond the towers, (to seat increased numbers now that the railway had been opened in 1866).

The Present Church

During the incumbency of Rev.C.E.Shirley Woolmer, the architect George Fellowes-Prynne, was consulted for the purpose of still further increasing the accommodation.
He designed the present nave, the foundation stone of which, as well as that of the aisles and tower of the new and enlarged church, was laid on the 18th November 1899, by the Rev.Canon Francis Murray, Rector of Chislehurst.

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	The History of St John The Evangelist Church
The First Church In the early part of the 19th century when Sidcup was a small village lying largely in the parish of Chislehurst and partly in that of Foots Cray , the inhabitants of Sidcup had to walk some distance to St.Nicholas Church in Chislehurst or to All Saints in Foots Cray.Due to the growth in population, there arose a demand for a new church to be built in what was called East Chislehurst. Building commenced in 1841 and, on 16th April 1844, the first church in Sidcup, under the title of St.John the Evangelist, was consecrated by George Murray, Bishop of Rochester. Although by this time the parish of St.John had been formed , for a short time the church was known as St.John the Evangelist, East Chislehurst. The Church was built largely by contributions fron Lord Sydney, Lord Bexley and Harold Berens Esq. The most striking features of the church were the twin towers topped with steeples at the west end, and the arcade (or ambulatory) round three sides of the church. The latter unusual feature supported the interior galleries.
The Second Church In 1882 the church was a very primitive place with no chancel, but what was called an apse, sufficiently large to hold the communion table, but little else. When the new Vicar, the Rev.T.C Lewis, was appointed in 1882, he set in train another building programme. He set to work to build a chancel, the foundation stone of which was laid by Bishop Jenner on St. Swithin's day, 15th July 1882. The Chancel and Lady chapel were consecrated on 31st October 1882, the eve of All Saints' Day,by Edward Parry, Suffragan Bishop of Dover, Archbishop Tait being on his death-bed at the time. The cost of these, together with the vestries (all of which are found in the present church) was £2,500 which was paid for by Rev. Lewis himself. The existing nave was later extended by a tempory extension westwards, beyond the towers, (to seat increased numbers now that the railway had been opened in 1866).
The Present Church During the incumbency of Rev.C.E.Shirley Woolmer, the architect George Fellowes-Prynne, was consulted for the purpose of still further increasing the accommodation. He designed the present nave, the foundation stone of which, as well as that of the aisles and tower of the new and enlarged church, was laid on the 18th November 1899, by the Rev.Canon Francis Murray, Rector of Chislehurst.
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