History

Forton was once a quiet village outside the walled town of Gosport, within the Parish of Alverstoke. In 1829 a piece of land was consecrated for the building of a Chapel of Ease to be called St John the Evangelist. The first church was built and then consecrated in 1831; in 1841 Forton was declared a Parish.

The Royal Marine Light Infantry were allowed to use the church for their parade services from 1869, until the Royal Marines moved to Eastney in 1923.

The church’s poor state of repair led, in 1891, to the decision to build a new church. Sir Arthur Blomfield designed a building of red Fareham brick dressed with Bath stone. The building was consecrated on 29^th September 1906.

In December 1940 a bomb fell between the Church and Moreland Road , closing the Church. Stained glass windows were destroyed and structural damage was sustained. The Vicarage and the Parish Hall were also damaged and abandoned. The Church was re-hallowed in October 1951 and the following year a new church hall was built.

A National Lotteries Charity Fund grant of £130,000 enabled major work and reordering to take place during 1996-7. The nave was reduced by two bays and a Community Hall with kitchen, office, toilets and disabled access was constructed.

The existing church hall, to the rear of the church, is currently leased to a Judo club who have responsibility for its upkeep.

The Community Hall is regularly hired out by local groups, such as the Community Weight Loss and Noah's Ark Pre-School.