Diameter: 39" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by James Shaw, Son & Co 1893
Dove Bell ID: 2938 Tower ID: 17294 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Greengates: St John the Evangelist
Diocese of Leeds
Church, 646261
Victorian/Pre-WW1
Overview
Grid reference: SE 192 373
Built 1892-3 by Kendall and Bakes of Idle, in an Early English style. The church is a prominent local landmark positioned on a hill within a raised site.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay aisleless nave with south porch and north-west tower and spire. Apsidal chancel with north organ chamber and south choir vestry linked to hall. Boiler room beneath north-east corner.
Dimensions:
Coursed local sandstone with ashlar dressings. Westmorland slate roof with crested terracotta ridge tiles.
Description of Archaeology and History
Greengates’ proximity to the Leeds and Liverpool canal, north of Greengates, lead to the construction of several mills in the town. Some remain, others have been demolished.
Heritage Gateway records the discovery of a neolithic polished stone axe within 500 metres of the site, indicating early settlement within the area. Other records are for the 19th and 20th century textile and wool mill buildings that once dominated the townscape. Only some remain.
A plaque on the interior west wall records the central east window given by Revd Power in memory of his wife Nellie, in whose memory the church was endowed by members of the Knowles family. Nellie was the eldest daughter of the Knowles. Both families feature within memorials around the church. It is said that the Knowles’ funded the laying of the sanctuary floor. Another name associated with the church (organ) is Baxter, who were linked with one of the textile mills in Greengates. The Garnetts (lectern) may also have contributed to the initial costs of building the church.
Prior to its construction worship had taken place in houses before moving to the Old Mechanics’ Institute which was used as a Mission Church until St John’s was built 1892-3. It was designed by local architects Jowett Kendall and James Harper Bakes from Idle and was consecrated in 1893. In 1911 Greengates became a separate parish and a foundation stone was laid for the vicarage, opposite.
The archaeological potential of the site is low. There are no known designations relating to the ecology of the plot, though the site is within the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield National Character Area.
Exterior Description
Quite austere looking church, set on high ground. The stone church has pointed lancet windows with ashlar surrounds, and buttresses between each bay. A continous plinth runs around the base. A gabled south porch extends from the westernmost bay. The pointed doorway has a hoodmould with a small round window above.
The most dominant aspect of the building is the spire which rises from a buttressed north-west tower with wide square base, octagonal bell-stage with alternating louvred lancet openings beneath hood moulds and clock faces, completed by a short octagonal stone spire with round windows near the tip. Although overall the tower is quite squat, given the church’s hillside location the spire can be seen above trees for quite some distance on approach from the north side.
The west end has two two-light lancet windows with a rose window above. There is a pointed west door in the base of tower set within four orders of moulding with a hood mould above with foliate stops.
Stone cross finials mark the gable ends of the roofs. The chancel roof is lower with the north organ chamber roof lower again. A chimney projects to the north gable above two 2-light lancet windows. A similar projection to the south side contains the vestry and is attached to the hall. This runs parallel to the nave, creating a small courtyard between the two.
The east end of the chancel is hexagonal and each facet contains a two-light pointed window.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century 5-bay aisleless
Porch
19th century south
Tower (component)
19th century north west
Spire
19th century
Chancel
19th century apsidal
Organ (component)
19th century north chamber
Vestry
19th century south choir vestry
Boiler Room
19th century beneath north-east corner
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century coursed local sandstone
Ashlar
19th century dressings
Slate
19th century Westmoreland slate roof
Terracotta
19th century crested ridge tiles
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is accessed through the south porch. The aisleless nave has large stone flags along the central aisle with raised boarded pew platforms with fixed pine benches (complete with umbrella stands and rails) to either side. Carpet runners on the seats. The walls are plastered and painted white. There is some stained glass, the remainder is plain cathedral glass. The roof is constructed from hammerbeam roof trusses resting on stone corbels between each bay. Pendant lights are suspended from each hammerpost. A wide cornice, pierced with quatrefoils and painted, continues all around the interior at eaves level.
The western most bay has a low pointed arch marking it out from the nave, and the roof level is slightly lower. The space is clear of pews. The font is positioned in the centre of the west end and flags and banners are arranged around it. The base of the tower is entered through a door to the north. From which another small door leads up to the tower from the north-east corner.
At the east end is a pointed chancel arch with exposed stone surrounds and responds. The chancel is raised by two steps with wooden choir stalls (painted and grained) placed to north and south. The chancel is oak panelled to dado height, and the walls are painted a vibrant blue. The organ fills an arch in the north wall, and that to the south side is panelled with glazing in the apex. The vestry door is east of the choir stalls. The floor is paved with black and white marble tiles. Three steps rise to the sanctuary where the altar is raised by a further two steps.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century oak, open tracery
Reredos
20th century carved oak with figures, brass plaque records gift in memory of Garnett, 1912
Pulpit
20th century Octagonal carved stone with crocketed niches with alabaster piers and a figure of the Good Shepherd in the centre. Brass rail and stone steps. Situated in north-east corner of nave. Brass plaque records in memory of Arthur Skevington, d.1903.
Lectern
20th century Brass eagle inscribed in memory of Greenwood Garnett of Greengates House who laid the foundation stone in 1892 by Singer and Sons, Frome and London.
Font (component)
20th century Octagonal stone font with quatrefoils. Conical oak cover stored in north-west corner, detached from chain, 1914.
Rail
19th century unusual scrolling brass uprights integrating the letters IHS with oak top rail
Stained Glass (window)
20th century • Nave, north side – The Good Shepherd – in memory of Edward Sugden Knowles d.1933, signed and dated by Jones and Willis, London 1935; • Nave, south side – Knight – in memory of Arthur Victor Skevington who died in action, 1916. Signed by Jones and Willis. A war memorial; • Nave, south side – Virgin Mary with child Jesus – d.1944; • East, north side – The Annunciation – in memory of Jonathan Edward Knowles, d.1914. Signed by Jones and Willis. A war memorial; • East, central – The Resurrection – in memory of Nellie Power as recorded by plaque on west wall, c.1910?; Jones and Willis? • East, south side – The Epiphany – in memory of William Power, d.1917, signed by Jones and Willis.
Plaque (component)
20th century Brass plaque on south wall to J W Garnett erected by his employees, made by R B Hardy, Colchester.
Organ (component)
19th century 2 manual organ built 1894 by Laycock and Bannister of Crossflatts, rebuilt 1922 by Driver and Haigh. Nice oak linenfold panelling around it. Brass plaques record its gift in memory of Thomas Baxter d. Jan 1894, repaired funded by T H Baxter and rededication in 1922.
Clock
19th century Tower clock by W Potts and Sons Ltd, Leeds, 1893. A very good maker. A brass plaque in base of tower records its presentation by Mrs Isodor Ree, October 1893.
Bells
Diameter: 26.38" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by James Shaw, Son & Co 1893
Dove Bell ID: 48434 Tower ID: 17294 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 29.5" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by James Shaw, Son & Co 1893
Dove Bell ID: 48435 Tower ID: 17294 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 31.25" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by James Shaw, Son & Co 1893
Dove Bell ID: 48436 Tower ID: 17294 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 32.25" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by James Shaw, Son & Co 1893
Dove Bell ID: 48437 Tower ID: 17294 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 35.5" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by James Shaw, Son & Co 1893
Dove Bell ID: 48438 Tower ID: 17294 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers dating from 1978.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 192 373
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
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