23/09/2026
We are delighted to announce the successful completion of Phase 1 of the ceiling conservation project at St John, Notting Hill.
The project uncovered the church’s original Victorian hand-painted ceiling decorations, which had unfortunately been concealed beneath brown paint applied during alterations in the 1960s.
This first phase focused on revealing the decorated ceiling within the South Aisle, carefully removing later paint layers to expose the remarkable craftsmanship beneath.
Through detailed investigation, we have learned that the church, built in 1845, contains an extraordinary wealth of historic hand-painted decoration that has remained hidden for decades. The discoveries made during this phase have provided a fascinating insight into the building’s original character and artistic significance.
We hope to continue this journey in the near future, with future phases aimed at uncovering the decorative schemes within the North Aisle and, ultimately, across the entire Nave ceiling. Each area revealed brings us closer to understanding and celebrating the rich heritage of this remarkable church.
Phase 1 was completed by the fantastic conservation team at , whose skill, care and dedication have helped reveal an important part of St John's Victorian heritage.
