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St John's Church, Dudley facts for kids

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Church of St John the Evangelist
St Johns Kates Hill 2018 1.jpg
The church in July 2018
52°30′30″N 2°04′23″W / 52.50831°N 2.07302°W / 52.50831; -2.07302
Location Kates Hill, Dudley
Country England
Denomination Church of England
Architecture
Heritage designation Grade II listed
Completed 1840 (1840)

The Church of St John the Evangelist, often called St John's, is a Church of England church located in the Kates Hill area of Dudley, England. It first opened its doors in 1840. The church had to close in 2002 because it was unsafe, but it was successfully reopened in 2016.

This church is considered a special building. It was given a "Grade II listed" status by English Heritage on May 21, 2009. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.

The Church's Story: Past and Present

The Church of St John the Evangelist has an interesting history, including its closure and reopening.

How St John's Church Was Built

St John's Church was one of two churches built in Dudley around the same time. The other was St James's at Eve Hill. Both churches were designed in a similar way by an architect named William Bourne.

When St John's was built, the Kates Hill area was mostly countryside. However, during the Industrial Revolution, many factories and homes were built nearby. This made Kates Hill a busy place with lots of workers. More houses, including council housing, were added in the 1920s and 1930s.

The Fight to Reopen the Church

After St John's Church closed in 2002, a group of people worked hard to save it. This group was called the "St John's Church Preservation Group." A local historian, Professor Carl Chinn, supported their efforts. They wanted to fix the church and open it again.

On July 27, 2016, the Preservation Group took over the church. In August of that year, the church opened to the public for the first time since 2002. From September 12, 2016, it was open every day. This allowed visitors to see the repair work happening. On July 27, 2018, the first church service in 15 years was held there. The Rector of Dudley, Rev Robert Barlow, led the service.

Who Is Buried in the Graveyard?

The church has a graveyard where several notable people are buried.

  • William Perry: He was a famous boxer known as 'The Tipton Slasher'. He was the boxing champion of England from 1850 to 1855.
  • Marion Richardson: She lived from 1892 to 1946. Marion was an educator and wrote books about penmanship and handwriting.
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