The Church of St. John the Evangelist, Stoke Row

Ambrosden church

The church of St. John the Evangelist in Stoke Row was consecrated in 1846. It was designed in 13th-century style by the architect RC Hussey and is built of knapped flint with stone dressings. The church has a north tower with an octagonal belfry and short spire with a wood shingle roof.

Before 1848, the hamlet of Stoke Row was part of the parish of Ipsden and North Stoke, though with Ipsden Church being 4 miles away, church attendance from Stoke Row was not very good! The Vicar of the time, the Revd Richard Twopenny, had the support of Bishop Wilberforce of Oxford and many benefactors, especially Mr. John Reade and his family of Ipsden House, raising £2,500 for the provision of a church and school in Stoke Row.  The site for the church, vicarage and school were given by St John’s College, Oxford who until recently remained the Patrons of the parish living.  The Church of St John the Evangelist, Stoke Row, was consecrated on the 19th October 1848.

The building is a beautiful example of simple Victorian architecture. The rectangular floor space accommodates a nave seating about 90 people and a spacious chancel area.  There is a tower at the north-east corner which houses the vestry, clock and bell.  The exterior of the building is a fine example of flintwork in a variety of styles(!) and the roof is slate, with cedar shingles on the bell tower.

A delightful rose window was designed and made by Barbara Batt.  The clock is a rare example from the 1920’s which is still in working order.  It has recently been restored.

The old vicarage was sold by the Diocese of Oxford in 1984 when Stoke Row and Checkendon churches became the first to form the new Langtree Team Ministry and the Rectory was located in Checkendon.

An imaginative reordering in 2011-2015 saw the pews removed, and a new wooden floor with underfloor heating installed, together with a disabled access toilet and kitchen in a small extension on the south side of the church.

Historical information about the church of St. John the Evangelist is provided by St John the Evangelist Church, Stoke Row (langtreechurches.org).

The church of St. John the Evangelist is a Grade II listed building. For more information about the listing see CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, Stoke Row - 1369052 | Historic England.