St John's Marchwood

The building was designed by J.W. Derick and is built in the shape of a cross. It is almost, in design, like a small version of a cathedral! It is certainly tall in proportion to other churches.

A quote from 1930 from Mr. I.R.A. Chick the Headmaster of Marchwood C.of E. School, "Our Church is worthy of inspection - is a fine example of its kind and contains many interesting features.

It is cruciform in shape, with lofty imposing chancel, lofty nave, north and south transepts, square tower with a tapering spire - the church presents a commanding appearance. To see the spire from across the Southampton water gives one a feeling of home."

The church is built of yellow brick and Caen stone and its height disproportionate in relation to its other features almost as if it had been designed to be lower and then stretched upwards.

The tower reaches a height of 132 feet, or 40 metres on a good day!

THE CHOIR
The first reference to a choir is around 1860, when a Mr. H. Richmond who was at school in the village recalled attending church with the school on Sundays and sitting in the balcony. He describes "the boys on one side of the gallery and the girls on the other, separated by a choir of ladies, and the Harmonium played by Mr. Williams, son of the Headmaster".

The Choir Stalls were first erected in 1890 at the time when the church was redecorated in Victorian art. In 1973 those original stalls were replaced by those made from Parana Pine. Later addition to the stalls culminate in what you see now. During the late 1950's there were about 10 boys and girls in the choir. 1993 arrives with a thriving choir of about 25 boys, girls, men and women, sporting blue monastic style choir robes, only replaced in 1992 when the traditional black cassocks and white surplices fell apart.

THE BELL

The Bell

The bell, a single 7 cwt specimen was cast by Thomas Mears at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1843. Every
indication is that it came from "stock" and was not specially cast for Marchwood. The bell is jointly used as the Church Clock chime, which can be heard ringing out the hour throughout the village.

The Bell frame stood the test of time up until 1992, when local parishioners were called upon to replace the 149 year old rotting timber on the top of the bell frame. At the same time they assisted the professional Bell Hanger to fit a new clapper and to replace the rotted headstock.

THE CLOCK

The clock mechanism

The clock was installed in the 1860's and after being out of action for some latter years was refurbished locally in 1982 along with the clock face. The 'workings' have more recently been adapted to electrical winding, still
retaining all of the mechanical drive.

The Army Fire Service replacing the minute hand

The minute hand of the clock fell off one windy night in 1987 and the help of the Army Fire Service was enlisted to "tick" it back on. The bell is regularly rung for services by younger members of the choir or congregation.