religious, community/cultural
James Spiller, 1792
St John at Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Road, E5 0PD
St John at Hackney Church has been Hackney's centre of Christian worship since 1275. The current church was completed in 1792, with major restoration finished in 2020. It's a major ringing centre in East London with ten bells from 4 to 16 cwt - eight from 1957 following the 1955 fire, and two added in 2004. This very active tower rings for Sunday services, national celebrations and commemorations.
Highbury & Islington
Hackney Central, Dalston Junction, Hackney Downs
38, 254, 30, 242, 253
spiral staircase up to bells
14:00–14:30
Visit St John at Hackney bell tower, hear about the bells that came from nearly St Augustine's Tower, and watch an actual bell being rung!
Guided tour
18:00–19:00
A tour of the nave and monuments room, focusing on the 2020 restoration, followed by a talk in the bell tower.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Step inside East London's most remarkable architectural resurrection. St John at Hackney stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision meets heritage, transforming a fire-damaged Georgian church into a thriving cultural beacon whilst honouring every detail of its 18th-century origins.
Built in the 1790s as Hackney's parish church, this Grade II* listed building has witnessed centuries of change along Mare Street. The devastating fire of 1955 could have marked its end, but instead sparked a remarkable journey of renewal that culminated in a recent £6 million restoration.
This wasn't simply about repair—it was about reimagining how historic buildings can serve contemporary communities whilst preserving their architectural DNA. The restoration reveals extraordinary craftsmanship in both old and new. Original Georgian stonework, carefully conserved timber galleries, and period plasterwork now sit alongside state-of-the-art acoustic installations and performance infrastructure.
The nave has been transformed into a world-class music venue, yet retains its sacred atmosphere and architectural integrity. Every intervention has been guided by the principle of 'sensitive renovation'—changes that enhance rather than diminish the building's historic character.
The church's bell tower tells its own fascinating story. This later addition was specifically designed to house ten bells relocated from the nearby St Augustine's tower, creating one of East London's most important ringing centres. Eight bells were recast in 1957 following the 1955 fire, with two treble bells added in 2004—a moment that marked a renaissance in East London's bell ringing tradition.
The ancient art of change ringing continues here, with our skilled ringers maintaining centuries-old techniques that transform mathematical patterns into glorious sound.
Today, St John at Hackney operates as both a place of worship and a 'cathedral of creativity,' hosting everything from chamber music to community events. It exemplifies how heritage buildings can be given new life whilst respecting their past—a model for historic building reuse that other communities across London are now following.
This Open House weekend offers rare behind-the-scenes access to both the building's architectural transformation and its living traditions. Whether you're interested in Georgian architecture, acoustic engineering, bell ringing, or simply the story of how communities can save their most treasured buildings, St John at Hackney offers insights you won't find anywhere else in East London.
