St John's Church, Workington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St John's Church
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OS grid reference	NY 004 285
Location	Washington Street, Workington, Cumbria
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	St John, Workington
History
Status	Parish church
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	6 June 1951
Architect(s)	Thomas Hardwick W. and C. A. Bassett-Smith Ninian Comper
Architectural type	Church
Style	Neoclassical
Specifications
Materials	Calciferous sandstone Green slate roof
Administration
Parish	St John, Workington
Deanery	Solway
Archdeaconry	West Cumberland
Diocese	Carlisle
Province	York

St John's Church is a beautiful old church located in Washington Street, Workington, Cumbria, England. It's an active Anglican parish church, meaning it's a local church for the community. It belongs to the diocese of Carlisle.

This church is very special! It's listed as a Grade II* listed building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. It also received money from the Church Building Commission to help build it.

History of St John's Church

St John's Church was built a long time ago, between 1822 and 1823. The famous architect Thomas Hardwick designed it. It was first built as a "chapel of ease." This means it was a smaller church built to help people who lived far from the main parish church.

The church received a large grant of £10,488 to help with its construction. This was a lot of money back then! The church's tower was first made of wood. But in 1847, it was rebuilt with strong stone by a builder named Nelson from Carlisle.

The inside of the church has been changed a few times. The altar, which is a special table used in church services, was originally at the west end of the church. In 1897–99, it was moved to the east end. But then, in 1930–31, another architect named Ninian Comper moved it back to its original spot at the west end.

Church Design and Features

St John's Church has a unique and interesting design. It's built in a style called Neoclassical. This style is inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings.

Outside the Church

The church is made from a type of stone called calciferous sandstone. It has a green slate roof. The design of St John's is similar to another famous church, St Paul's, Covent Garden.

At the east end of the church, you'll see the tower and a portico. A portico is a porch with columns, like the entrance to an ancient temple. The tower starts as a square at the bottom, then becomes eight-sided, and has a round cap on top. The portico is supported by two large columns. Along the sides of the church, there are tall, round-headed windows that let in lots of light.

Inside the Church

The inside of St John's Church is divided into five sections called bays. It doesn't have a separate chancel, which is usually the part of the church where the altar is.

There are galleries on three sides of the church. These are like balconies where people can sit. They are held up by thin, fluted cast iron columns. The ceiling is flat and made of plaster. It's decorated with patterns and coats of arms.

At the west end, there's a beautiful, completely gilded (covered in gold) Italianate baldacchino. A baldacchino is a fancy canopy over an altar. This was designed by Ninian Comper. He also designed the cover for the baptismal font, the colorful stained glass in the east window, and the case for the organ. The organ itself was built in 1905 and later rebuilt in 1961.

See also

• Listed buildings in Workington
• List of Commissioners' churches in Northeast and Northwest England