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St John's Church, Mansfield facts for kids

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St. John's Church, Mansfield
St. John's Church, Mansfield - geograph.org.uk - 11098.jpg
Denomination Church of England
Churchmanship Evangelical
Website St John's with St Mary's Mansfield
History
Dedication St. John
Administration
Parish Mansfield, St John with St Mary
Diocese Southwell and Nottingham
Province York

St. John's Church, Mansfield is a special church in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. It is part of the Church of England. This church is a very important building. It is listed as a Grade II listed building. This means it has special historical or architectural value. Even the walls and gate at the church entrance are also Grade II listed!

Wall And Gate Piers To Churchyard Of St John The Evangelist, St John's St, Mansfield (3)
The old wall and gate at St. John's Churchyard.

History of St. John's Church

St. John's Church was built a long time ago, between 1855 and 1856. It cost about £8,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! A famous architect named Henry Isaac Stevens designed the church.

When Was the Church Opened?

The church was officially opened on July 29, 1856. The Bishop of Lincoln, Rt. Revd John Jackson, led the special ceremony. A person named Gally Knight left £6,000 in his will to help build the church. People living in the area also raised an extra £1,000. The Duke of Portland gave £1,000 to build a house for the church's priest.

What Did the Church Look Like?

When it was first built, a newspaper called the Derby Mercury described the church. It said the church was built in an "early decorated" style. This means it had a specific kind of old-fashioned design. The church had a main area (nave), two side areas (aisles), a special front part (chancel), a tall tower with a pointed top (spire), and a small entrance (porch).

The outside of the church was made from local stone. The inside was covered with a very white stone called Ancaster stone. The roofs were high and pointed. The church had many windows, some with two lights and some with three. The main window at the front had five lights. The tower was square and had eight windows for the bells. It also had a spiral staircase. The spire was tall and had decorations.

Inside, the church was very pleasing to look at. The wooden roof beams were visible. The church had simple, strong pillars. It had wooden benches that could seat about 1,000 people. Many of these seats were free for anyone to use. The font, which is used for baptisms, was a gift from Charles Lindley. It was made from Mansfield stone. The pulpit and reading desk were made of wood with iron supports. The church was very tall, with the tower and spire reaching about 180 feet (55 meters) high!

A Gas Explosion at the Church

On February 8, 1871, something serious happened during a church service. There was a gas explosion! A church worker was checking the floor with a candle when it happened. Several people were hurt. The benches in the middle of the church were broken into pieces. Part of a stone pillar even went through the roof! Some of the beautiful stained glass windows were also damaged.

Church Leaders (Incumbents)

Many different leaders, called incumbents or vicars, have served at St. John's Church over the years. Here are some of them:

  • Revd William Lilley (1909-1917)
  • Revd Keith B. Frampton (1931-1951)
  • Revd Jim Neil (1971-1977)
  • Revd Richard Rice-Oxley (1978-1982)
  • Revd Ken Shill (1983-1993)
  • Revd Alan Howe (1994-1996)
  • Revd Graham Knott (1997-2006)
  • Revd Canon Mark Adams (2007-2016)
  • Revd Christopher Lee (2020 - present)

The Beacon: Helping the Community

St. John's Church is also home to an important charity called The Beacon. This group started in 2001. It is based in the church hall. The Beacon helps people who are homeless or facing difficulties. They offer support and a safe place for those in need. Even Mansfield's Executive Mayor, Andy Abrahams, started volunteering at The Beacon in 2017!

See also

  • Listed buildings in Mansfield (inner area)

Gallery

  • Wall And Gate Piers To Churchyard Of St John The Evangelist, St John's St, Mansfield (5)

    St. John's Church viewed from the side gate

  • St. John's Church, St John's Street, Mansfield (11)

    Window of the entrance vestibule of St. John's Church

  • St. John's Church, St John's Street, Mansfield (9)

    St. John's Church viewed from the side gate

  • St. John's Church, St John's Street, Mansfield (6)

    Main entrance to St. John's Church

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