Description
The Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd was originally built as the 'Ark of the Covenant' for the Agapemonite (Abode of Love) sect, which had been founded in Somerset by Henry James Prince. Prince came to Clapton with his congregation when he built the church here in 1892. It was closed in the 1920s but later acquired in 1956 by the Ancient Catholic Church. The church has a garden to the front with lawn, flower beds and shrubberies either side of the path leading from the fine wrought iron gates to the church door.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Church of the Ancient Catholics/Church of the Ark of the Covenant |
|---|---|
| Site location | Rookwood Road/Castlewood Road, Stamford Hill |
| Postcode | N16 6SS |
| What3Words | ///shall.spins.bigger |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Hackney |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private |
| Public Transport | Rail: Stamford Hill. Bus: 67, 76, 149, 253 [73, 243, 243A, 318] |
| Research Updated | 1 August 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The church was built as the 'Ark of the Covenant' for the Agapemonite (Abode of Love) sect, which had been founded by two clergymen, Henry James Prince (1811-99) and Samuel Starky, in c.1850 in the village of Spaxton in Somerset. Prince was thrown out of the Church of England for blasphemy in c.1843, having claimed that the Holy Ghost resided in him. The community prospered and Prince raised the money to build their new church at Clapton, where he came with his congregation. Costing c. £20,000 the church was built to accommodate around 400 people, a Gothic edifice in Bristol stone with Portland stone dressings, with a tall spire and fine sculptures on the exterior by Arthur George Walters. The four symbols of the Evangelists appear on the buttresses, huge stone winged figures pinning down crouching and shrouded men, which are then repeated in bronze on the tower. Inside the church is a fine stained glass window designed by Walter Crane in 1896, depicting woman's submission to man. At the front, the church is separated from the street by a low wall topped with railings having a series of carved stone piers and ornate wrought iron gates.
After Prince's death in 1899, the sect was led by John Hugh Smyth-Pigott who had previously been a curate at Mildmay Park. Smyth-Pigott achieved notoriety in 1902 when he proclaimed himself the Messiah and promised to turn the pond at Clapton Common (q.v.) into wine. As a result of this he was discredited and 6,000 people are reputed to have greeted him at his church, pelting him with 'a shower of stones and umbrellas', and he had to hire pugilists for protection.
The church was closed in the 1920s to be acquired in 1956 by the Ancient Catholic Church, a church claiming to be older than the Roman Catholic Church due to its descent from the Syrian Orthodox Church at Antioch. A chapel for animals was then opened here, and spiritual healing offered.
The spectacular church has a well-kept garden to the front with lawn, flower beds and shrubberies either side of the black and white tiled path which leads from the fine wrought iron gates to the church door. The church has a low wall to the forecourt, with wrought iron railings and double gate between tall piers with lamp holders.
After Prince's death in 1899, the sect was led by John Hugh Smyth-Pigott who had previously been a curate at Mildmay Park. Smyth-Pigott achieved notoriety in 1902 when he proclaimed himself the Messiah and promised to turn the pond at Clapton Common (q.v.) into wine. As a result of this he was discredited and 6,000 people are reputed to have greeted him at his church, pelting him with 'a shower of stones and umbrellas', and he had to hire pugilists for protection.
The church was closed in the 1920s to be acquired in 1956 by the Ancient Catholic Church, a church claiming to be older than the Roman Catholic Church due to its descent from the Syrian Orthodox Church at Antioch. A chapel for animals was then opened here, and spiritual healing offered.
The spectacular church has a well-kept garden to the front with lawn, flower beds and shrubberies either side of the black and white tiled path which leads from the fine wrought iron gates to the church door. The church has a low wall to the forecourt, with wrought iron railings and double gate between tall piers with lamp holders.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ340878 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Ancient Catholic Church |
| Site Management | Ancient Catholic Church |
| Dates | 1892-5 |
| Designers | Church: Joseph Morris & Sons |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Church of the Good Shepherd, forecourt wall, gates and railings. |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Hackney |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Clapton Common is a small fragment of the former Broad Common; the south side, overlooked by the early C19th Clapton Terrace, forms an extension to the Common. Maps of 1745 show a number of hamlets in the area and in the C18th/C19th smart villas were built in Upper Clapton for City bankers and merchants, development accelerating after arrival of the railway. Clapton Common was preserved as public open space in 1872 as a result of a successful public petition that led to 180 acres in Hackney being protected from encroachment. It retains its large pond but public amenities, such as a Keeper's Box and drinking fountain, no longer exist, and the small mock-Tudor pavilion provided as public toilets became derelict.
Stamford Hill Strips are four roadside grassed areas, with a few trees, which were handed over free of cost to the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1883 as public open space. Later owned and maintained by Hackney Borough Council, they are protected under the London Squares Preservation Act of 1931.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Springfield Park was created on a hilly site that until the C18th was part meadows and part used for commercial purposes. By mid/late C19th three houses and their grounds were here: The Chestnuts, Springfield House and Spring House. Pulham & Co are known to have undertaken some work for C Jacomb at Springfield Park in 1871. In 1904/5 all 3 houses were purchased by the LCC and a new public park laid out, retaining much of the C19th landscaping. Springfield House, known as White Lodge, remains as do C19th stables, but other buildings were demolished. The park was laid out with numerous paths, areas of woodland, shrubberies, open lawn and grassland, a bandstand and bowling green. Tennis courts were added in the 1930s. There is a fine collection of mature trees. The eastern edge abuts a path along the River Lea, beyond which are Walthamstow Marshes.
Springfield Park was created on a hilly site that until the C18th was part meadows and part used for commercial purposes. By mid/late C19th three houses and their grounds were here: The Chestnuts, Springfield House and Spring House. Pulham & Co are known to have undertaken some work for C Jacomb at Springfield Park in 1871. In 1904/5 all 3 houses were purchased by the LCC and a new public park laid out, retaining much of the C19th landscaping. Springfield House, known as White Lodge, remains as do C19th stables, but other buildings were demolished. The park was laid out with numerous paths, areas of woodland, shrubberies, open lawn and grassland, a bandstand and bowling green. Tennis courts were added in the 1930s. There is a fine collection of mature trees. The eastern edge abuts a path along the River Lea, beyond which are Walthamstow Marshes.