St John the Evangelist's Church, Abram facts for kids
St John the Evangelist's Church is a special church located on Warrington Road in Abram, a town near Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. It is an active Anglican church, which means it's part of the Church of England. This church was built between 1935 and 1937. It replaced an older church from 1838 that had been damaged because of mining underground.
The church was designed by an architect named Henry Paley from Austin and Paley, a famous firm in Lancaster. Building the church cost about £11,113 back then. It was big enough to seat 478 people. The first stone for the original church was laid on March 9, 1836, and it was officially opened on June 9, 1838.
The current church is made from stone found in Darley Dale. It has a short, strong tower at the west end with a unique roof shaped like a saddle. Some beautiful stained glass from the old church's west window was moved here. Also, two special wall monuments were brought from the old church. The large pipe organ, which has two keyboards, was made by Richardson and Sons and also moved from the original building. The churchyard, which is the area around the church, has the graves of seven soldiers from World War I and five service members from World War II.
Contents
Exploring the Church's Design
The church's design is a great example of how buildings were made in the 1930s. The architect, Henry Paley, was known for creating strong and beautiful churches. The stone used, from Darley Dale, gives the church a sturdy and lasting look.
What Makes the Tower Special?
The church has a short, strong tower at its western side. This tower is topped with a "saddleback roof." This type of roof looks like a saddle because it has two slopes that meet at a ridge, similar to a house roof, but on a tower. It's a unique feature that makes the church stand out.
Art and History Inside the Church
Inside St John's Church, you can find pieces of its past. The colorful stained glass in the west window tells stories through its pictures. These windows, along with two monuments on the walls, were carefully moved from the older church. This means they have been part of the church's history for a very long time.
The Church Organ and Its Music
The church also has a large pipe organ. This organ has two keyboards, called "manuals," which the organist plays. Organs like this make powerful and beautiful music. This specific organ was also moved from the old church, so it has been used for many years to create music for services and events.
Remembering Heroes in the Churchyard
The churchyard is a peaceful place where people are buried. It is also a special place of remembrance. There are graves for soldiers and airmen who bravely served in World War I and World War II. These graves remind us of their sacrifices and the history of these important global events.
See also
- List of churches in Greater Manchester
- List of ecclesiastical works by Austin and Paley (1916–44)
