Weight: 1435 lbs Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 758 Tower ID: 11269 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Blackpool: St John
Diocese of Blackburn
Licensed Place of Worship, 603171
http://www.stjohnsblackpool.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SD 309 362
The present church was built in 1878 by Garlick, Park and Sykes of Blackpool on the site of an earlier chapel-of-ease of 1821, and there may be foundations and associated burials from this time. The style is Early English, executed in a traditional manner. The church impresses through scale and form rather than flair.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, aisles, transepts, apsidal chancel, gallery, south-west tower, meeting rooms to west of nave and conversion in north aisle, vestry, organ loft, contained room in south aisle.
Dimensions:
Nave 18m (55ft) by 13m (40ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 1000 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The present church was built in 1878 by Garlick, Park and Sykes of Blackpool on the site of an earlier chapel-of-ease of 1821, and there may be foundations and associated burials from this time. Parish church since 1860.
Exterior Description
This is a large Victorian town church, perhaps the best building in the immediate area and an important local landmark. The style is Early English, executed in a traditional manner. The church impresses through scale and form rather than flair.
Vertical emphasis is provided by the tall south-west tower of four stages with angled buttresses rising to prominent turret pinnacles and cross finials. There is a large entrance in the bottom stage opening to the south, with a projecting gable above a pointed entrance of four continuous orders (a smaller version of this gives access to the south transept, see below). The stage above has a clock face in each visible face. The belfry stage has two tall louvred openings on each side.
The nave is of three bays with low aisles, with low buttresses of one weathering demarcating the bays. The roofs have stone parapets and kneelers, and the gable ends have cross finials, with the exception of the transepts. Lead rainwater goods.
The clearstorey has three 3-light plate traceried windows under 2-centred arches, with hood-moulds over; moulded stops. The aisles have three triple-lancet windows. The west wall is pierced by, at ground level, four lancets, the central pair taller, lighting the baptistery; and above this a row of five lancets, the central lancet projecting above the others, and two round openings and a central sexfoil above.
The transepts are the same height as the nave. There are 2 tall pointed two-light windows with plate-tracery balanced by a cinquefoil window above in each outer wall, giving the appearance of a single large plate tracery window, and pairs of smaller two-light side windows with plate tracery in the side walls.
Ancillary rooms flank the chancel, their roofs sloping down from the transept east walls. The south vestry is larger and takes up much of the transept wall, with a single tall lancet in its east face. The north sacristy/boiler house has a pair of lancets directly underneath the transept windows. A chimney rises from the block between these windows. The apsidal chancel itself has three triple lancet windows set within pointed recesses, connected with a continuous hood-mould.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century
Aisle
19th century
Aisle
19th century
Transept
19th century
Transept
19th century
Chancel
19th century apsidal
Gallery (ecclesiastical)
19th century
Tower (component)
19th century south west
Vestry
19th century
Organ Loft
19th century
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century yellow ashlar facing, internally red ashlar
Timber
19th century trussed
Slate
19th century roof covering
Interior
Interior Description
Moving into the interior, and beginning at the west end, there is a gallery of five bays corresponding to the windows in the wall above. The round-headed arches of the passages through the gallery at ground level have been glazed in. The nave arcades have cylindrical columns with circular caps simply moulded, supporting three 2-centred arches with moulded soffits. The nave has a waggon roof with small false hammer-beam wall-posts linked by metal tie-rods, rising from trumpet corbels at clearstorey level.
The church is whitewashed and the nave furnishings are standard, although some re-ordering has taken place to create space in the aisles and transepts. The organ stands against the south wall in the south transept. A nave altar on a dais has been inserted, to which the ornate Gothic chancel screen now forms a backdrop. The High altar is still there beyond this, with its large reredos and wooden panelling around the sanctuary walls.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Simple table in pale wood, modern.
Reredos
19th century Large wooden architectural reredos with central carving of the last supper, beneath is carved This do in remembrance of me. Wooden panels to the left and right of the main section are carved with bible verses. L. John Chapter 6 verses 53-4 also the initials J V S E R. John Chapter 6 verses 62-3 also the date AD 1885. The reredos is integral with the dark wood panelling used throughout the apse.
Pulpit
19th century Hexagonal oak structure with carved tracery panels and coved foot on stone base. Ornate tester with filigree openwork.
Lectern
19th century Large brass eagle, unused and stored against memorial wall in north aisle.
Font (component)
19th century Small hexagonal design of stone. Given to St John’s Church Blackpool (illegible inscription) 1875. Now positioned in west porch.
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century Huge collection of stained glass.
Plaque (component)
19th century Various brass plaques in memorial of parishioners.
Organ (component)
20th century Blackpool St John is a fine organ, it was built in 1915 by Willis II, and has typical pneumatic action for both keys and adjustable (wooden turn button) stops. Restored by Harrison and Harrison in 1969.
Screen
19th century Sanctuary Screen 1914 In memory of all who served in the Great War 1919
Rail
19th century Oak with carved cusped decoration.
Panel
20th century Central roll of honour (war memorial) also: • To the sacred memory of those who suffered as prisoners of war in the Far East 1941-1945 • In memory of those who lost their lives serving the H.M.S. Penelope the warship adopted by Blackpool 1939-1944 Constantia est fide • In memory of the men and women of Blackpool and District who lost their lives serving in the royal navy 1939-1945 • Dedicated to the memory of Lieut. Colonel William Edmund Gill RA OBE TD JP by his fellow Far East prisoners of war 15th Feb 1969 • In memory of Brigadier General Thomas Edward Topping CMG OSO TO ADC Honorary freeman of this borough who died on the 8th July 1926 after faithful service to his King and country this plaque was erected at the wish of his widow Anne Leverage Topping • In memory of our comrades at the Royal Air Force who sacrificed their lives for their country • Blackpool and Fylde branch in memory of our comrades who gave their lives in Burma 1941-45 When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today • In memory of a gallant soldier pure in heart and ever loyal to duty Victor Smith VC Lieut. 5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment Inspector of Blackpool Police This memorial is dedicated less than 25 years but crowned with the love that which no man have greater. In the words of his Commanding Officer he gave his life to save others at Fusilia Bluff Gallipoli Peninsula Dec 23rd 1915 by throwing himself upon a live grenade and was awarded the Victoria Cross and the Croix Deguerre for this magnificent act of self sacrifice which saved many lives.
Bells
Weight: 469 lbs Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 11643 Tower ID: 11269 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Weight: 526 lbs Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 11644 Tower ID: 11269 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Weight: 538 lbs Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 11645 Tower ID: 11269 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Weight: 626 lbs Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 11646 Tower ID: 11269 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Weight: 716 lbs Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 11647 Tower ID: 11269 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Weight: 873 lbs Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 11648 Tower ID: 11269 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Weight: 1083 lbs Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1867
Dove Bell ID: 11649 Tower ID: 11269 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 309 362
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
Showing 12 entries of 12 View All
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.