Restoration Church of St John the Evangelist Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire

WATERBEACH, CAMBRIDGESHIRE - The parish church of St. John the Evangelist, Waterbeach, was reopened last week, after having been restored at a cost of £3,000. The church was originally of the Early English style, but it was almost rebuilt during the Early Perpendicular period, and the north aisle and porch, the vestry, and organ-chamber just added have been designed in the latter style. The tower has been carefully restored. The new aisle is seated with oak benches, and the windows have been filled with richly-painted quarries. The whole of the floors of the church have been laid to an elaborate design in tiles, by Messrs. Maw and Co. A new reredos is placed at the east end of the church. It is constructed of richly-veined alabaster, and is surmounted by a earned cross in which a jewel is inlaid. The arcading of the reredos stands upon shafts of Irish green marble, filled in with figures in Opus Sectile mosaic, representing, on the south side, David, Aaron, and Elijah, and on the north side, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul. The caps of the shafts are of alabaster, richly carved. In the super-altar are three figures in mosaic, with gold background; the centre one represents the Lord seated in glory, and on either side are the Evangelist St. John and Mary Magdalene in adoration. A now oak Communion-table has been carved by Messrs. Rattle and Kett, of Cambridge; it is chiefly composed of out tracery oak panels from the old screen, rearranged and framed; upon it has been placed an old Purbeck marble slab, which was found in pieces in the church, part being buried under a Tudor floor in the sacrarium. New sedilia, piscina, and credence of alabaster have been placed in the chancel, and a new sacrarium floor laid down, formed of polished black and white marble, with solid marble steps. The now pulpit is of alabaster and coloured marbles, with figures of Elijah and John the Baptist in niches. The works have been carried out under the direction of Mr. J. Ladds, of Bedford-row, London, by the contractors, Messrs. Warboys, of Bassingboume, and W. Whitehead, of Royston. The carving has been carried out by Mr. E. Whitehead, of Clapham, S.W., the mosaic by Messrs. Powell and Son, of Whitefriars, London, the glazing by Mr. Holmes, of Robert-street, Grosvenor-square, and the brass standards, locks, and wrought-iron hinges by Messrs. Richardson, Ellson and Co., of Holborn. The Creed, Lord's Prayer, and Commandments, are executed in tiles, designed and hand-painted by Mr. Constable, of Cambridge. [Building News 16 May 1879 page 553]

Reference           Building News 26 May 1879 page 553