John B. Mendham (1866-1951)

From Historical Hastings


Although he was not a Hastings resident, the work of Mr. John Bernard Mendham. who died at his home, Ufton Court, Sittingbourne, Kent, at the age 63, on the 22nd of June 1951, is well known in the borough, for he was the architect responsible for the designing of St. Ethelburga's Church and the Regal Cinema. [1]

Mr. Mendham’s work was mainly connected with church architecture and he also designed the Roman Catholic Church of St. Anthony of Padua at Rye — an outstanding example of this type of work - and St. Michael and All Angels at Bexhill. His other architectural work had included the designing of the new wing and the altar rails at the chapel of St. Augustine’s Nursing Home Maze Hill.[1]

Almost up the time of his death. Mr. Mendham had been engaged on plans for the competition for the building of the new Coventry Cathedral task which had taken him three years, and the work was nearing completion. He had also had his architectural drawings exhibited three times at the Royal Academy.[1]

His sisters, the Misses Florence E. and Mercedes W Mendham, lived at 27 Dane Road, St. Leonards with their father, Clement, and all are related to Mrs. Sophia Mendham by marriage to their uncle, the Rev. John Ryland Mendham, who was responsible for the building of Emmanuel Church, on the West Hill, and the hall, Mendham Hall, which stands near the church.[1]

References & Notes