St John's Church, Ladywood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St. John the Evangelist, Ladywood |
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Church of St. John the Evangelist, Ladywood
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| 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 special old church in Ladywood, Birmingham, England. It's a Church of England church and is listed as a Grade II building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
History of the Church
The Church of St. John the Evangelist was designed by an architect named Samuel Sanders Teulon. It was built between 1852 and 1854. The church started as a "mission" from another church, St Martin in the Bull Ring. This means it was set up to help people in a new area.
The Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI gave land for the church. This land was once a burial ground from the 1600s, used during the Great Plague. On September 28, 1852, Frederick Gough, 4th Baron Calthorpe laid the first stone. The church was officially opened by Henry Pepys, who was the Bishop of Worcester, on March 15, 1854.
Building the church cost about £6,000 back then. That's a lot of money, equal to about equivalent to £398,855 in 2021 today! It was also a "commissioners' church." This means it got a grant of £247 (about equivalent to £16,420 in 2021 today) from the Church Building Society to help with costs.
In 1876, a part of the church's area was used to create a new church, St Margaret’s Church, Ladywood. Later, in 1881, more money was spent on the church. About £2,350 (equal to equivalent to £169,830 in 2021 now) was used to add a new chancel and other parts. This work was done by architect J. A. Chatwin.
Between 1994 and 2005, the church was greatly improved inside. It now has a bright, open, and flexible space for worship. The building also has great sound, which is good for music. Many groups use the church, and it hosts many concerts and events. It's a lively church that helps the local community. In 2001, St Peter's Church, Spring Hill closed. After that, the two churches joined, and the parish is now called St John and St Peter's, Ladywood.
Church Leaders
Here are some of the main leaders, called vicars, who have served the church:
- Francis Morse 1854-1865
- Richard J. Mooyaart 1864-1868
- John Leech Porter 1868-1888
- A. R. Runnels-Moss 1888-1921
- J. L. Porter 1921-1927
- Canon Parslew 1927-1940
- Norman Darrall 1940-1952
- Norman Power 1952-1988
- Richard Tetlow 1989-2008
- Ian Harper 2010–present
Church Organs
The church has had several organs over the years. An organ is a large musical instrument often found in churches.
In 1858, a Bevington organ was put in. It was changed a bit in 1888. You can find details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
This old organ was replaced in 1939 by a Hammond organ. This Hammond organ was later made even better.
In 2008, a new digital organ was installed. It's a Renaissance Quantum digital organ by Allen. It has two keyboards and 33 different sounds.
Organists of the Church
These are some of the people who played the organ at the church:
- Alfred R. Gaul 1859-1868
- Samuel Simms ????-1879 (later played at St. Cyprian's Church, Hay Mills)
- Mark James Monk 1879–1880 (later played at Truro Cathedral)
- Thomas Troman 1880–1881
- Henry Taylor 1881–1903
- Samuel Simms (son of the earlier Samuel Simms) (had also played at St. Cyprian's Church, Hay Mills)
- W. E. Robinson 1907-????
Music Directors
- Ian Biggs, M Mus, FNMSM, ARCO 2011–2013 (used to be an assistant organist at St Mary's Church Moseley)
