St. John Evangelist Anglican Church
St. John Evangelist Anglican Church is an active Anglican church in Alsancak, Izmir, Turkey. It was built about 1625 by the Levant Company.
History
It was built for Levant Company's employees and other British residents of Smyrna. The present site was bought specifically for the purpose of building a church, after the British Consulate was rebuilt without provision for a place of worship. The building was built with money raised by local people. The foundation stone was laid in November 1898 and the church was completed in 1899. The church building seats about 150+ people. Most recently, Reverend Ronald Evans from Canada completed 15 years of service as Vicar and retired on December 31, 2015.
Architecture
The church was built neo-gothic architecture style.Also there is no information about the architect of the church.
Exterior
Exterior design also has a neo-gothic architecture effect. At the west façade, there is a little rose window. Also, at that façade there is a spire. Under the rose window three part of stained-glass windows.All windows are covered by iron barrier.At the north façade there are small flying buttresses.
Interior
Inside of the church, "William Edward Collins, Bishop of Gibraltar" of the grave at the left.There is a baptism bath basin area next to the grave.
Stained-Glass Windows
Take the time to look closely at the St. John's beautiful Victorian stained glass windows.The back (west) window was made in Germany in 1895.The front (east) window was made in 1904 by Charles Kempe and includes a small panel showing Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, on this way to martyrdom being greeted in Smyrna by St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who kisses the martyr's chains.
The Altar
Holy Communion ("Eucharist or "Lord's Supper") is celebrated here.Believers come forward to receive the bread and wine to remember Christ's death and resurrection and His continual presence in us.
"...23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenantin my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
(1. Corinthians 11:23-26).
The Baptism Font
In obedience to the Lord's command that we repent and be baptized, at this font believers proclaim their belief on Christ as their lords and savior and are baptized with water a special celebration.("Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit..." Mathew 28:19) This font is in the shape of a seashell, an ancient symbol of Christian pilgrimage.
Surroundings
There are 2 more building in the site such as "Bishop Collins Memorial Hall 1913" and "British Consulate General".
A second church building, built for the use of British inhabitants and forming part of the premises of the British Consulate General was consecrated in 1843, and named in honour of St. John the Evangelist.
The Bishop Collins Memorial Hall was erected in 1913 and is used as a multi-purpose facility. The Sunday School meets in the hall and the hall and kitchen are used every Sunday for after service fellowship and tea time, as well as for various meetings and events. The church office is next to the fellowship hall. A Vicarage was built next to the church in 1911 and is now leased to the British Government for use as the Consulate.
How to approach?
Alsancak is the most central state at the Izmir (Smyrna). Therefore, transportation access is easy. There are 3 ways to arrive the church such as bus,metro,ferry.
Spatial Experience
When you enter the church from the main entrance, the baptism font welcomes you. On the left wall (west), behind the baptism font, there is a stained-glass and rose window stands. Against the baptism font, there are seats for believers and there is a pulpit (From here the Word of God is read and the Christian faith is explained and taught) in front of the seats.Also, next to the pulpit, there is a big pointed arc and behind that there is a space of the Altar.
