SHORT HISTORY

Foundations

 Originally served by visits from the Rector of Bispham, it was not until 1818, a year after the securing of St.John’s School, that meetings were held in earnest to build a church.

 The First Church

Built of bricks from a local croft and costing £1,072 and 5d,  the first church for Blackpool dedicated to St.John the Evangelist (the gospel writer) was consecrated by the Bishop of Chester (in whose diocese it lay) on July 6th 1821: with the Reverend James Formby holding the cure. 

Constantly Changing

 As the town grew, so did the church. Only ten years later, in 1832,  the church needed to be enlarged: and so began St.John’s constant mission to meet the changing needs of a rapidly changing town.

 By the time Canon N. S. Jeffrey arrived in 1868, even after a new Tower had been added (housing a clock and a ring of 8 bells) it was clear that there was little hope of the building being able to continue to meet the needs around it.

  The Second Church

 By 1875, the brave decision was made to desist from further alterations to the church, and instead to build a new one.

A respected firm of architects Garlick, Park and Sykes, were commissioned to produce drawings, and work began on the future Civic and Parish church of the new Borough of Blackpool. Built of stone-faced brick, seating 1223 and costing a total of £13,675 7s 4d, it was consecrated on the 25th June 1878 by the Bishop of Manchester. Present in the congregation was Dr. W. H. Cocker, the first Mayor of Blackpool alongside the first Town Council.

 Constantly Improving

 Within 10 years, the rather austere building was improved.  In 1885, the chancel was redeveloped.   Stained glass windows were introduced above the altar (one given by Dr. Cocker himself) and a beautiful carvingadded to the reredos, based on Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’. 

 Constantly Developing

 In 1919, a screen was erected in memory of those who served in the First World War. 

By 1931, the choir was so large that a new vestry had to be built and in 1936, the chancel was again developed, with a new high altar, oak paneling and Sanctuary Rail.  

Pews were also removed in the nave, to create a centre aisle.

Lady Chapel

 In 1952, further pews were removed to accommodate a chapel in the North Aisle. 

New gates and railings, in memory of those who fell in  World War Two, were added along with the existing memorials and standards. Pew rents were also abolished this year.

 Constantly Dilapidating