St John the Divine, Kennington

St John the Divine, Kennington
Photo of the church
Location	Vassall Road, Kennington, London
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Anglo-Catholic
Website	www.sjdk.org
History
Founded	14 November 1874
Founder(s)	The Reverend Daniel Elsdale
Architecture
Architect(s)	George Edmund Street
Style	Gothic revival architecture
Years built	1871 through 1874
Administration
Parish	Kennington
Diocese	Anglican Diocese of Southwark
Clergy
Vicar(s)	Fr Mark Williams
Honorary priest(s)	Mthr Ellen Wakeham

St John the Divine, Kennington, is an Anglican church in London. The parish of Kennington is within the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. The church was designed by the architect George Edmund Street (who also built the Royal Courts of Justice on Strand, London) in the Decorated Gothic style, and was built between 1871 and 1874. Today it is a grade I listed building.

The church stands on Vassall Road, Kennington, in Vassall Ward in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is near Oval tube station and the Oval Cricket Ground. The spire can be seen clearly for miles around.

The church is regarded as a fine example of Victorian Gothic. The general construction is of red brick, but all parapets, window openings, doorways, etc. are dressed with stone. The upper part of the spire is entirely of stone. At over 260 feet, it is the tallest spire in south London and can be seen for miles around. The poet John Betjeman remarked that St John the Divine was "the most magnificent church in South London."

The original church interior was designed by GF Bodley, and was fitted out in a highly ornate style typical of the Victorian era and of Anglo-Catholic churches, including stone carvings by Thomas Earp, wrought iron altar rails, stained glass windows, and a carved reredos painted by Clayton and Bell. A new organ by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd was installed in 1875.