Description
Shirley was previously a hamlet of Croydon parish, but became a separate parish in 1846. Prior to the construction of St John's Church in 1854-6 there was a Mission chapel here with a school room, playground, cottages and burial ground, and garden for the poor. From 1879-1912 the vicar of St John's was Revd William Wilkes, an important figure in horticulture, Secretary of the RHS and responsible for developing the Shirley Poppy. The large churchyard has a number of fine mature trees and monuments, including that of John Ruskin's parents, the Preston family tomb in the form of a classical temple, and a memorial to Arthur Lloyd, brother of Frank Lloyd after whom Lloyd Park is named.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Shirley Parish Church |
|---|---|
| Site location | Shirley Church Road, Shirley |
| Postcode | CR0 5EF |
| What3Words | ///sobs.stocks.table |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Croydon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Events | Concerts in church |
| Public Transport | Rail: East Croydon then bus. |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2008 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Shirley was previously a hamlet of Croydon parish, and was made into a separate parish in 1846. Prior to the construction of St John's Church in 1854-6 there was a Mission chapel on the site, built in 1836 by Mr Farrer, son of Lady Eldon of Shirley Park, with a school room, playground, cottages and burial ground. The garden was set aside for the poor. The chapel accommodated 200 people and was soon too small for the growing population. Lord Ashburton donated a plot of land next to the chapel yard for a larger church and funds were then raised through subscription and an appeal by 1854. The new church, in early Gothic style with a spire, was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott on the north side of the village near the entrance gate to Addington Palace (q.v.). A relative of Lord Eldon was the first vicar of St John's Church. The flint and stone church has a bell-turret and spire, and is described by Nikolaus Pevsner as 'deliberately villagey'. It comprises a nave with side aisles, a west tower, chancel, chapel, vestry and south porch. The vestry was extended during the C20th. The chapel is sited on the south side of the chancel and was built in 1955 designed by Caroe & Partners. A detached hall of brick, also designed by Caroe & Partners, is to the north side.
The churchyard has some fine tombs and monuments, including the grave of John Ruskin's parents in the south-east corner, a monument to the Preston family in the form of a classical temple, and a memorial to Arthur Lloyd (1861-1910), the brother of Frank Lloyd after whom Lloyd Park (q.v.) is named. The vicar from 1879-1912 was Revd William Wilks, who lived at the Old Vicarage (q.v.), an important figure in the world of horticulture, long-time Secretary of the RHS and responsible for developing the Shirley Poppy. Among notes dated 21 May 1877 that record the planting of trees in the churchyard, which included 'bay, oak, pine, etc. some grown from seeds', is the following passage: 'Pine near Hawkins James' grave in N.W. Corner of Ch.yard this was grown from a seed brought by him from the Himalayas'.
Today the large churchyard has a number of fine mature trees, including beech, Wellingtonia and cypress, and a lych gate at the entrance on Shirley Church Road.
The churchyard has some fine tombs and monuments, including the grave of John Ruskin's parents in the south-east corner, a monument to the Preston family in the form of a classical temple, and a memorial to Arthur Lloyd (1861-1910), the brother of Frank Lloyd after whom Lloyd Park (q.v.) is named. The vicar from 1879-1912 was Revd William Wilks, who lived at the Old Vicarage (q.v.), an important figure in the world of horticulture, long-time Secretary of the RHS and responsible for developing the Shirley Poppy. Among notes dated 21 May 1877 that record the planting of trees in the churchyard, which included 'bay, oak, pine, etc. some grown from seeds', is the following passage: 'Pine near Hawkins James' grave in N.W. Corner of Ch.yard this was grown from a seed brought by him from the Himalayas'.
Today the large churchyard has a number of fine mature trees, including beech, Wellingtonia and cypress, and a lych gate at the entrance on Shirley Church Road.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ358653 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Diocese of Southwark |
| Site Management | church |
| Dates | 1854-56 |
| Designers | Church: Sir George Gilbert Scott |
| Listed Structures | LBII: St John's Church; Ruskin monument; monument to Preston Family. |
| 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 | Croydon |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | Yes |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Local Open Land |
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
Shirley was previously a hamlet of Croydon parish, but became a separate parish in 1846. The land for Shirley Church Recreation Ground was purchased in 1928 by the local Council in order to preserve an area of open space among the suburban housing estates that were rapidly developing in the area. The area was once wooded and some of the trees along Shirley Church Road are marked on a map of 1868. A bowling green and tennis courts were later provided and the park is opposite Shirley Parish Church of St John.
The gardens of Hall Grange and The Old Vicarage, now the site of a home for the elderly, the current vicarage and other houses, are important for their connection with Revd William Wilks. He was vicar of St John's Church Shirley, Secretary of the RHS and a well-respected horticulturalist, ahead of his time in his ecological approach to gardening. The habitats he developed here contained numerous plant experiments and introductions, such as his selective breeding of the Shirley Poppy. Wilks' house, The Wilderness, was renamed Hall Grange after 1958 when it became a home for the elderly; a bungalow, also called The Wilderness, was built in its grounds. The garden remained one unit, the part belonging to the bungalow occupants demarcated by a short row of azalea bushes.
The 1800 enclosure map shows Pinewood as part of Shirley Heath, divided up as allotments for the inhabitants of Croydon. Shirley Heath at that time covered a much larger area and in 1762 had formed part of Shirley and Addington Commons.