Church Street, Parish Church (St John the Baptist)

Rebuilt 1867

The earliest Charter of Croydon indicates that there was probably a church on the present site as early as the 9th century although the earliest mention of the Croydon Parish Church is in Domesday book of 1086.  Six archbishops of Canterbury were buried within the church between 1583 and 1757 and it was visited by monarchs, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

On the north and west doors are the arms of Archbishop Courtney (1381-96) and Archbishop Chicheley (1414-43) respectively, which indicates that they were responsible for the church's construction.

Another Archbishop connected with the church was John Whitgift who died in 1604 and is now more familiar to the people of Croydon from the modern shopping centre that bears his name.

The building of present church after the great fire of 1867, uncovered foundations of an earlier edifice which showed fragments of the Norman, early English and Decorated periods.  There are many fascinating parts of the church, not least the Tower, which has been almost completely restored since the fire.  The 12 bells were made by the Croydon firm of Gillett and Johnston in 1936 by recasting the old bells with additional metal. T he first peal of the new bells was rung in honour of the Coronation of King George VI in 1937.

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Saturday, 5 July, 2008

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