---
title: "St John the Evangelist, Holdenhurst"
description: "Located in Holdenhurst, Dorset. Built 1833–34 on a new site; west narthex, apsidal chancel and north vestry added 1873. Diocese of Winchester. Grade II. Gothic Revival style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Church of England","Dorset","Holdenhurst","Bournemouth","Grade II","Gothic Revival"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/holdernhurst-st-john-evangelist"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T01:50:37.620Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-07T16:06:33.003Z"
location: "Holdenhurst, Dorset"
country: "England"
county: "Dorset"
town: "Holdenhurst"
address: "Holdenhurst Village Road, Holdenhurst, Dorset, BH8 0EE"
postcode: "BH8 0EE"
built: "1833–34 on a new site; west narthex, apsidal chancel and north vestry added 1873"
architect: "George Evans of Wimborne; Benjamin Ferrey (1873 additions)"
denomination: "Church of England"
dedications: ["John the Evangelist"]
diocese: "Winchester"
grade: "II"
style: "Gothic Revival"
materials: "Coursed grey limestone, Bath stone dressings, stone-tiled roof"
website: "https://www.stjohns-stbarnabas-bournemouth.net/"
openingHours: "If you would like to pre-book a visit please phone the churchwarden on 07985 313389."
parish: "Holdenhurst St John the Evangelist"
listEntryUrl: "https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1108870"
gridReference: "SZ 129 952"
accessNotes: "Level access to the main areas. Non-accessible toilets in church. Ramp or level access available on request"
---

# St John the Evangelist, Holdenhurst

St John the Evangelist is a Grade II parish church on Holdenhurst Village Road in the historic village of Holdenhurst, now within Bournemouth, in the Diocese of Winchester. The medieval parish once included almost all of what became Bournemouth.

## Overview

George Evans of Wimborne rebuilt the church on a new site in 1833–34 in a modest Gothic Revival manner. The listing describes coursed grey limestone with dressings probably of Bath stone and a stone-tiled roof: an aisleless nave, a striking octagonal cupola-style bellcote with pinnacles and an ogee cap, and later work by Benjamin Ferrey in 1873 — a west narthex, apsidal chancel and north vestry.

The interior has a hammerbeam nave roof and Ferrey’s apse. A late Norman font from the old church survives, with stained glass of 1873 and later, including windows by Kempe. Historic England notes the church as the mother church of Bournemouth and its links to the Tapps-Gervis family. The churchyard includes separately listed tombstones.

## Further Information

- [St John’s and St Barnabas, Bournemouth](https://www.stjohns-stbarnabas-bournemouth.net/)
- [Historic England list entry 1108870](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1108870)