09. The hidden walls – 1938

While earlier plans for the extension of St. John’s proposed a lengthening of the building eastwards, and some felt a complete demolition was best, Alexander North’s 1893 plan included the vast dome area and transepts, the present chancel and sanctuary, the vestries and organ loft. Stage 2, implemented in 1938, would see the nave de-roofed and the existing nave walls reconfigured into arches and raised to include the present large stained glass windows and new roof. So the old walls are still there, encased in the massive brick arches along either side of the nave! The alignment of the old walls can be more clearly seen from the outside, because the western ends are intact, but inside the nave, high on the west wall, the eastern face of the clock, never fitted with hands and numbers, can be seen from inside the church.  See History of St. John’s Church – Resources – All Saints Anglican Network