The building was commissioned by the Parish of St John to replace an existing vestry hall in
Walham Green. The site chosen had previously been occupied by a property known as Elton Villa. In the villa's grounds there had been a mulberry tree, which had been planted by
Nell Gwyn or her lover; it was chopped down and made into walking sticks in order to make way for the new vestry hall. It was designed by
George Edwards in the
classical style, constructed by Treasure & Son, An additional block was built to the south east of the main building with a council chamber on the ground floor and a concert hall on the first floor. The new façade to Harwood Road included a large drum clock, manufactured by
Potts of Leeds and mounted high above the entrance (the mechanism would be replaced by a
Gents' Pulsynetic electric clock in 1933). A portrait of
King George V by
Richard Jack was hung in the council chamber in 1926. The building was extended again, this time to the west along Fulham Road, in 1934 to accommodate the local registrar's office. A large stained glass window, depicting
Earconwald, who served as
Bishop of London in the 7th century, was designed by
Francis Spear and made by Lowndes & Drury; it installed at the head of the stairs leading to the Great Hall in the 1930s. ==References==