St John's Church, Ladywood facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St. John the Evangelist, Ladywood
Church of St. John the Evangelist, Ladywood, in December 2021
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Broad Church
Website	www.stjohnpeter.org.uk/
History
Dedication	St. John the Evangelist
Administration
Diocese	Birmingham
Province	Canterbury

The Church of St. John the Evangelist and St. Peter is a historic Church of England church located in Ladywood, Birmingham, England. It is a Grade II listed building, which means it is an important building protected for its special architectural or historical interest.

History of the Church

Building the Church

The Church of St. John the Evangelist was designed by the architect Samuel Sanders Teulon. Construction began in 1852 and finished in 1854. It started as a "mission" church, which means it was a new church set up by a larger, older church, St Martin in the Bull Ring, to serve a growing community.

The land for the church was given by the governors of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI. This site was once known as Ladywood Green and was used as a burial ground during the Great Plague in the 1600s.

The foundation stone, which is the very first stone laid for a building, was placed on September 28, 1852, by Frederick Gough, 4th Baron Calthorpe. The church was officially opened and blessed by Henry Pepys, who was the Bishop of Worcester at the time, on March 15, 1854.

Cost and Changes Over Time

Building the church cost about £6,000 back in 1854. That would be like spending around £700,000 today! The Church Building Society also helped by giving a grant of £247 towards the cost.

In 1876, a part of the church's area, called its parish, was separated to create a new parish for St Margaret’s Church, Ladywood.

Later, in 1881, more money was spent to add a new chancel (the part of the church near the altar) and other improvements. These additions were designed by the architect J. A. Chatwin.

Modern Updates and New Name

Between 1994 and 2005, the church underwent a big renovation inside. This made the worship area bright, open, and flexible. The building also has great acoustics, which means sound travels very well inside.

Today, many different groups use the church, and it hosts lots of concerts and other events throughout the year. It is a busy church that serves its local community and beyond.

In 2001, another church nearby, St Peter's Church, Spring Hill, closed down. Its parish then joined with St. John's. Because of this, the church is now known as St John and St Peter's, Ladywood.

Church Organs

Early Organs

The church first had an organ built by Bevington in 1858. This organ was updated in 1888. You can find details about this old organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.

In 1939, a Hammond organ replaced the older one. This Hammond organ was also upgraded later on.

Current Organ

A modern digital organ was installed in 2008. It is a two-manual (meaning it has two keyboards) Renaissance Quantum digital organ made by Allen. It has 33 different sounds, called stops.

Organists and Directors of Music

Many talented musicians have played the organ and directed music at the church over the years. Some notable organists included Alfred R. Gaul and Mark James Monk, who later became the organist at Truro Cathedral.

More recently, Ian Biggs was the Director of Music from 2011 to 2013.

St. Peter’s Church, Spring Hill

St Peter’s Church, Spring Hill, was built in 1901. It stopped being an Anglican church in 2001. After its closure, its parish was combined with St John’s, creating the larger parish known today as St John and St Peter's, Ladywood.