St John's Church, West Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Church |
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St John's Church
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | West Bay, Dorset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | William Henry Randoll Blacking |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Completed | 1939 |
St John's Church is a special building in West Bay, Dorset, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church was built between 1935 and 1939. A person named William Henry Randoll Blacking designed it. Since 1975, it has been a "Grade II listed building." This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
The Story of St John's Church
St John's Church was built to help the main church, St Mary's, in nearby Bridport. Before St John's was built, people in West Bay went to church services in a small cottage. This cottage was turned into a "mission room" in 1862.
Building a New Church
By 1923, people realized the mission room was too small. Many visitors came to West Bay in the summer, and there wasn't enough space for everyone. So, they started raising money for a new church. They hoped to collect £3,000.
William Henry Randoll Blacking was chosen to design the new church in 1926. The first part built was the south aisle. The Bishop of Salisbury, Rev. St Clair Donaldson, laid the first stone on May 28, 1935. This part opened on November 10, 1935, and was used for services while the rest of the church was being built.
Church Completion and Dedication
The whole church was finished and officially opened on May 21, 1939. The Bishop of Salisbury, Rev. Neville Lovett, dedicated it. By this time, the church had cost over £5,000 to build. They still needed to raise £1,500 more to cover all the costs.
Keeping the Church Safe
In 2014, Historic England added St John's Church to their "Heritage at Risk Register." This meant the church needed repairs, especially its roofs, which were leaking and causing dampness.
By 2018, things had gotten better. All the roofs were fixed, and the church was in much better shape. However, there are still some damp areas, and the lead windows need to be repaired to keep the church strong for the future.
Church Design and Features
St John's Church can hold up to 300 people. It is built from stone covered with a special plaster, and it has limestone details. The roofs are made of slate.
Outside the Church
On the west side of the church, there's a small bell tower called a "bellcote." Below it, on the wall, you can see a clock face.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church has a long main area called a "nave" with five sections. There's also a "south aisle" with three sections, a porch, and rooms for the clergy.
Many of the church's wooden items are made from a light-colored oak. These include the lectern (where readings are given), the pulpit (where sermons are preached), and the stalls (seats). The font, which is used for baptisms, is very old. It was moved here from the original mission chapel.
The beautiful stained glass window at the east end of the church was made in 1959 by Christopher Webb. It shows a picture of Portland Bill Lighthouse and a sailing ship. Historic England describes the church as "elegant and simple." They also say its style is like the "Arts and Crafts movement," which was popular for its focus on handmade items and traditional designs.
