Birkenhead: St John
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 318 885
The church is in the Early English style, built of the local red sandstone in good quality tooled ashlar. Designed by Charles Reed, who later became Charles Verelst, 1845-7. St. John is one of the churches built when Birkenhead was developing as a town in its own right, with a layout which is now considered to be the most extensive and ambitious instance of 19th century town planning anywhere in Britain.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
A shallow chancel, nave of eight bays with north and south sides, north and south transepts, west tower forming entrance porch below and surmounted by a stone spire. A large vestry was added, at the east end, in 1892.
Description of Archaeology and History
Charles Reed, who later became Charles Verelst, 1845-7. St. John is one of the churches built when Birkenhead was developing as a town in its own right, with a layout which is now considered to be the most extensive and ambitious instance of 19th century town planning anywhere in Britain. Charles Reed was one of several architects active in the town at that time.
Exterior Description
The church is in the Early English style, built of the local red sandstone in good quality tooled ashlar. The windows consist of grouped and single lancets, some of them (e.g. the transept north and south windows) shafted externally with moulded labels and a small quantity of well carved stone detailing in the form of capitals and head-stops.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
The only one to survive is a single lancet in the south transept, and the three-light east window. These are part of the set designed for the church by Foster of Liverpool.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior, all but the nave arcade and its slender piers, is plastered and whitened. The arcade, which passes in front of the transepts (a most effective feature) is unusually lofty and elegant. The considerable height of arcade and roof, and the slenderness of the piers, is reminiscent of Pugin's R.C.Cathedralof St. Chad in Birmingham. The piers vary in plan and in the design of the capitals. It is architecture of an Industrial Age, proud and confident and solidly built with an air of permanence about it.
Fixtures and fittings
Reredos
1892
Pulpit
1892
Lectern
1892
Brass eagle
Screen
1892
Iron chancel screen
Font (object)
1840s
Octagonal
Painting
There are eight paintings on canvas on the walls of the nave, and four in the sanctuary. All of Biblical subjects, those in the sanctuary being of better quality than the paintings in the nave and showing late Pre-Raphaelite influence.
Organ (object)
Robert Hope-James, the influential inventor of many strange organ istical devices was organist of this church before he went to America and built an Coffe organ which was rebuilt in the 1920's , as a memorial to George Leigh-Mallory, the Everest climber , whose father was incumbent.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 318 885
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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