St John the Evangelist

Introduction

The initial architect was Sir Philip Goodhart-Rendel, a former President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, who had designed Prinknash Abbey twenty-five years earlier.

History

Charles Arthur Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen, lived at Tadworth Court from 1885 until his death in 1900 and routinely arranged for Mass to be said for his family and staff. In 1953 the chapel came into the Epsom deanery as a chapel-of-ease served by clergy from Saint Joseph's Parish, Epsom. John Heagerty acquired and donated to the Church the present site of King's Lodge and its grounds for use as a future church, convent and preparatory school. The old house 'King's Lodge' was finally demolished in 1979 with part of the land attached being sold for development of what is now known as 'King's Court'.

A new parish priest was appointed in 2002. The death of the parish priest in 2015 was a sad loss to the parish family.

Architecture and furnishings

The furnishings were almost all carried out by Vanpoulles of Vauxhall Bridge Road, London. In 1989 Mr. Matthew Haddad donated funds for the installation of a bell controlled by an electrical mechanism allowing several types of peal on a timer.

Music and liturgy

For those already baptised in another Christian denomination, completion of the RCIA leads to the completion of the Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation, Eucharist). Children aged 7–11 years are placed in the First Holy Communion class and baptised prior to the First Holy Communion celebration each May. Children aged 14–15 years may be baptised within the context of Confirmation preparation. Adults and young people aged 16+ are considered for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) course.

Parish life

The nursery school opened in 1958 by the Sacred Heart nuns from Epsom initially in the King's Lodge site, and they continued to occupy the old house until 1973 when they handed the school over to the diocese. The following year the older children transferred to Saint Anne's Catholic Primary School in Banstead leaving the Tadworth site as a nursery school only. The parish ran the Saint John's Nursery School until 2014 when it was transferred to its present commercial status. The Caterpillar's nursery school alongside the Church Hall today is a commercial venture run as a business completely independent of the parish, leased by the diocese in 2014.

Regular events

The parish hosts a coffee morning in the Church Hall on Tuesday mornings after Mass. A special Mass with the Sacrament of Healing is celebrated each year. The celebration of First Holy Communion each year is primarily a parish community celebration.

Sacraments and pastoral care

A dedicated team of Ministers of Holy Communion take Holy Communion to the housebound. The parish offers lifts to Mass for parishioners with transport problems.

Saint John's is able to offer a Marriage Preparation Course. Parents are required to attend adult formation sessions using the 'Sycamore' programme.

The parish is active with a number of faith-related and social groups that meet regularly. The parish runs a Children's Liturgy group. The parish runs Prayer & Faith Groups. The parish offers Bereavement Support. The parish runs a 100 Club.