St John's Church, Torquay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Church, Torquay |
|
|---|---|
St John's Church, Torquay
|
|
 St John's Church, Torquay
Location in Devon
|
|
| 50°27′47″N 3°31′28″W / 50.46306°N 3.52444°W | |
| Location | Torquay |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint John the Apostle |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 20 November 1952 |
| Architect(s) | George Edmund Street |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 129 feet (39 m) |
| Width | 52 feet (16 m) |
| Nave width | 28 feet (8.5 m) |
| Height | 56 feet (17 m) |
| Spire height | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Torquay |
| Deanery | Torbay |
| Archdeaconry | Totnes |
| Diocese | Exeter |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St John the Apostle, Torquay is a beautiful old church in Torquay, Devon. It's a Grade I listed building, which means it's very important and protected because of its history and architecture. It belongs to the Church of England Diocese of Exeter.
Contents
History of St John's Church
The church started small in 1823 as a "chapel-of-ease." This means it was a smaller church built to help a larger main parish church nearby.
Building the Main Church (1861-1873)
The church you see today was designed by a famous architect named George Edmund Street. Building work began in 1861 and finished in 1873.
- The Chancel: This part of the church was built first, between 1861 and 1864. It cost about £4,000, which was a lot of money back then! It was officially opened on November 8, 1864. The chancel has amazing carvings by Thomas Earp and mosaic art by Antonio Salviati.
- North Aisle: This section was finished and opened in 1866.
- Nave and South Aisle: Work on these parts started in 1870 and they were ready by April 2, 1871.
Adding the West Tower (1884-1885)
The tall west tower was added later, between 1884 and 1885. It cost around £2,000. The tower was designed by Arthur Edmund Street, who was George Edmund Street's son. A new bell, weighing almost 19 cwt (about 965 kg), was added to the tower in 1885.
Decorating the Lady Chapel (1888-1890)
The Lady Chapel is a special part of the church. It was decorated between 1888 and 1890 by John Dando Sedding. This chapel was separated from the rest of the church by iron screens. It had a fancy altar and a special reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar). New oak seats were also added, with beautiful carvings of flowers and shields. This detailed work was done by Harry Hems.
The Church Organ
When the church first opened, it used a temporary organ. But once the main part of the church (the nave) was finished, a brand new, much larger organ was built in 1872 by William Hill & Sons. This impressive pipe organ has three keyboards (manuals) and pedals, with 47 different sounds it can make.
Who Played the Organ?
Many talented musicians have played the organ at St John's Church over the years. Here are some of the people who held the important role of organist:
- Mr Barnes (1832)
- Mr J. Gedye (1841 - 1846)
- Mr Dewe (1847 - 1848)
- Mr J. Vinning (1848 - 1849)
- Charles Fowler (1849 - 1855)
- William F. Fry (1855 - 1857)
- Thomas Lloyd Fowler (1858)
- John Horth Deane (1858)
- W. B. Wray (1858 - 1859)
- Thomas Brooks (1859 - 1864)
- John Abram (1864 - 1865)
- Robert W. Pringle (1865 - 1866)
- Mark Bradley (1866)
- Wilmina Augusta Parks Smith (1867 - 1870)
- Michael Gwyn Rice (1871 - 1873)
- Thomas Roylands Smith (1873 - 1876)
- Charles Banson (1876 - 1879)
- Henry Ditton-Newman (1879 - 1884)
- Bertram Luard-Selby (1884 - 1887)
- Thomas Henry Webb (1887)
- Thomas William Noble (1887 - 1905)
- Oliver Oldham Brooksbank (1905 - 1912)
- Harold Rhodes (1912 - 1928)
- Vernon Sydney Read (1928 - 1947)
- Francis Crute (1947 - 1953)
- Donald Frederick Hunt (1954 - 1957)
- Frederick C. Fea (1957 - 1959)
Images for kids
-
St John's Church, Torquay
