St John the Divine Kennington

Light Perceptions

Built: 1870-74 by G.E. Street; Restored: 1958 by H S Goodhart-Rendel
Listed: Grade I
Project Type: Interior Relighting Project
Project cost: circa £95,000 ex VAT and fees
Completed: 2002-2003
Case Study No: 2004

St John the Divine is one of the larger Victorian of the Diocese of Southwark. It also has the tallest spire of any parish church in South London.

The interior suffered terrible smoke damage over the New Year period of 2002. A candle burnt overnight and set fire to a large artificial Christmas Tree. Much of the interior was very badly damaged and the church was closed for many months whilst the acrid deposits were removed and the interior cleaned and restored.

Part of the restoration works included a comprehensive relighting scheme, the first since Goodhart-Rendel’s work of the late 1950’s. The new lighting included high level spotlighting to illuminate the nave, uplighting for the newly cleaned ceilings and delicate spotlighting for the sanctuary and High Altar.

Posted On: July 14, 2014