St John the Evangelist's Church, Chichester, Grade I listed church in Chichester, England
St John the Evangelist's Church is an octagonal brick building with a distinctive white exterior and notable interior elements. A three-tiered pulpit stands at the center, surrounded by upper galleries supported by columns styled after Egyptian design.
James Elmes designed this building in 1812 as a proprietary chapel where investors could buy shares to secure pew rights. This funding model reflected how churches were often financed as private ventures during that period.
The name honors Saint John and reflects Anglican faith in scripture. The building's layout still shows how social class shaped where people sat, with separate areas for wealthy and poor worshippers.
The church sits on St Johns Street and welcomes visitors throughout the day, with parking available nearby. Coming early allows you to see the interior details without crowds and get a better sense of the space.
The interior feels more like a theater than a traditional church, with the triple-decker pulpit as the main focal point rather than an altar. This layout reveals how central preaching was to the congregation's religious practice.
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