John Philip Chadder was born on 22nd June 1938 in Plymouth.

John studied engineering and worked between 1960 and 1971 as a mechanical design engineer for a number of different companies, such as Decca Radar.

Having discovered Scientology in 1967, John moved to Sussex and ran various business while also serving as a staff member at Saint Hill, which he continued for the next decade.

During this time John made his mark by overseeing and completing the building of Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the famous Saint Hill Castle, using a workforce trained entirely by him, as well as innumerable other building projects around the estate and beyond.

John married Mary in 1971 and they were together for 44 years until Mary’s passing in 2015.  As a team they were a formidable partnership, running numerous businesses and property developments. John’s building and property projects during the entirety of his life in Sussex are almost too numerous to list, but include Blenheim Studios and Riverview Business Park in Forest Row, and as far afield as the Naval Hospital in Plymouth.

As well as John’s huge list of achievements in terms of bricks and mortar, he made an enormous contribution to the future of his religion, by both his donations towards the creation of Ideal Organisations around the UK, and technical assistance with those buildings, especially in his home town of Plymouth.

As well as being a keen sculptor, John loved sailing and boats and these formed a backdrop to the whole of his adult life, and were the source of many adventures, right up until 2020.

John leaves an enormous legacy as well as a wealth of adventures and anecdotes that those who knew him will cherish.  He was loved by many whom he unselfishly helped in business with his experience and knowledge, but also as a mentor in life to achieve their dreams.