Built in the early 16th century, and formerly a place of worship for many noted dignataries including Thomas Cromwell, constant increase in Hackney's population meant that galleries were added to the church, by the 1780s it was no longer big enough to hold the constantly growing parish, and consequently the main church building was knocked down in 1798, in order to build the new Church of St John-at-Hackney, often using the old stone as building material.
After the eight bells of Hackney were relocated to the new church in 1854, the tower was for a while used as a public mortuary, and a tool shed, before eventually falling under the care of The Metropolitan Borough of Hackney in 1912. Ever since then it has been preserved for the Borough, either by the council or heritage organisations.
For more information, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Augustine's_Tower_Hackney
I really love your blog and I'm so glad I stumbled across it. I am new to London, working in Hackney and moving there this weekend. I will have to go check this out!
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear Amber. I am enjoying writing it too (most of the time).
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to be based in Hackney. I love it.