Homepage

Contact us      

About us

Links to our supporters     

Who are our Patrons?

large print version

The Old Sanctuary comprises the original 1878 chancel and altar, now a chapel in its own right.     

Like most traditional Parish churches, St.John’s was built like a mini-cathedral: designed for worship led by a choir.

At times a choir of forty strong sung from these very stalls, their four-part harmony (boys and men) resounding around the ornate apse and then out into the church.

Accompanying them was the mother of all organs; the great Father Willis, one of the most powerful organs ever built.

Encompassing the chancel is a memorial screen from the First World War.

Originally the high altar (the main altar in the church) would have been fixed against the wall. This was because the common place for the ‘priest’ to stand was facing the altar (with his back to the congregation) symbolizing the catholic belief that he was a mediator, between the people and God.

Full ‘catholic’ vestments were often used: a white tunic (alb) covered with an ornate over-cloak (chasuble) on top of a coloured scarf (stole) which reflected the liturgical season of the day.

 To negate this symbolism, more protestant ‘ministers’ insisted on taking the service from one end of the altar instead. This was known as ‘north end celebration’. Here the more protestant vestment was used: a heavy black tunic (cassock) covered by a voluminous white wrap (surplice) with a simple black scarf  on top. (see the protestant vestments to the north).

Note the 39 buttons on the black cassock: these symbolize the 39 reasons (articles) found in the Book of Common Prayer, that distinguish the Church of England from its Roman Catholic heritage.

Before the altar lies an altar rail introduced to allow the congregation to kneel when receiving communion.

You may like to kneel here for a moment, imagine the thousands of people from several generations who have knelt on that very spot for marriage, a blessing, or indeed to receive the mystery of the Word made flesh in bread in wine.

          Let all mortal flesh keep silence

          And in fear and trembling stand

          ponder nothing earthly minded

          for with blessing in his hand

          Christ our Lord to earth descendeth

          Our full homage to demand.

Above the altar stands the reredos (a type of panelled shelving)

containing a beautiful carving of Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’.

Standing in the centre of the Old Sanctuary if you look up you will be able to appreciate the ornate apse which dominates the sanctuary.

The central window, given by Dr. W. H. Cocker the first mayor of Blackpool, concentrates on ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’.

In the center is ‘charity’ (the Good Samaritan).

The window to the left depicts Jesus’ love for the young (blessing children), the Transfiguration, and Gethsemane.

The window on the right shows St.John following Peter into the High Priest’s house, the crucifixion, (where Jesus dies on a cross for all) and the Ascension (where, after Jesus has been raised, and after several appearances, he is finally taken back to reign in heaven).