A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Church, John

CHURCH, John, born at Windsor in 1675, received his early musical education as a chorister of St. John's College, Oxford. On Jan. 31, 1697, he was admitted a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and on Aug. 1 following was advanced to a full place, vacant by the death of James Cobb. He obtained also the appointments of lay vicar and master of the choristers of Westminster Abbey. Church composed some anthems and also many songs, which appeared in the collections of the period, and he was the author of an 'Introduction to Psalmody,' published in 1723. The compilation of a book of words of Anthems published in 1712 under the direction of the Sub-dean of the Chapel Royal (Dr. Dolben) has been ascribed to Church, although it is more generally attributed to Dr. Croft, and perhaps with greater reason, considering the intimacy between the sub-dean and the organist. Church died Jan. 5, 1741, and was buried in the south cloister of Westminster Abbey.

[ W. H. H. ]