St John the Evangelist's Church, Perry Barr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John the Evangelist’s Church |
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St John's in 2006
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| 52°31′33″N 1°54′4.33″W / 52.52583°N 1.9012028°W | |
| Location | Perry Barr |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St John the Evangelist |
| Consecrated | 6 August 1833 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Architect(s) | Robert Studholme |
| Groundbreaking | 1831 |
| Completed | 1833 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Width | 26 feet (7.9 m) |
| Bells | 8 (1972) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Perry Barr |
| Deanery | Handsworth & Central |
| Archdeaconry | Birmingham |
| Diocese | Birmingham |
St John the Evangelist's Church is a special old church in Perry Barr, Birmingham, England. It's part of the Church of England and is a "Grade II listed" building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
Church History
Building the Church
A stonemason named Robert Studholme from Sutton Coldfield designed the church. It had one main hall (called a nave), small rooms on the sides (vestries), and a tall tower for bells. Building work began in 1831.
The church was officially opened and blessed on August 6, 1833. Bishop Henry Ryder, who was in charge of the churches in Lichfield and Coventry, led the ceremony.
Later Additions and Changes
In 1888, the church became bigger. A new area for the altar (called the chancel), a room for the organ, and more vestries were added. This work was designed by J.A. Chatwin and cost about £1,600. The company that built it was Collins of Tewkesbury.
In the 1880s, two side sections, known as transepts, were also added to the church.
Beautiful Windows and Clock
The church has many beautiful stained-glass windows. Some were made by Hardman & Co., showing the Epiphany in the south transept. Another window, showing Jesus teaching, was made by Pearce & Cutler in 1938 and is in the north transept. There's also a window by T. W. Camm showing John the Baptist, located behind the organ. The clock in the church tower has been there since 1838.
Parish Changes
In 1894, a part of St John's parish (the area it serves) was used to create a new parish for St Paul's Church, Hamstead.
Church Tradition
Today, St John the Evangelist's Church follows a "liberal Catholic" tradition within the Church of England. This means it combines some traditional practices with a more open and modern approach.
Church Bells
The bells you hear at St John's Church are quite old, dating back to 1776. They were first used in St John's Church, Deritend in Deritend. That church was sadly destroyed during German bombing in World War II.
The bells were then reshaped by Taylor's of Loughborough and moved to Bishop Latimer Memorial Church in Handsworth in 1960. However, the tower there wasn't strong enough for them. So, in 1972, these historic bells found their new home in St John the Evangelist's Church, where they have been ringing ever since.
The Organ
St John's Church has a special musical instrument called a two-manual pipe organ. This type of organ uses air blown through pipes to make sound. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register, which lists many organs across the country.
