 From the 14th century the church was dedicated to Saint Augustine of Hippo until, in 1660, it was rededicated to Saint John the Baptist, thenceforth becoming commonly known as St John at Hackney.In the 13th century much of the land around Hackney formed part of the possessions of the Knights Templar.When the order was disbanded its possessions were passed to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who had a mansion on Church Street.