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Despite new lighting in 1962, the 150th Anniversary celebrations of the first church in 1971 and the 100th Anniversary celebrations of the second church in 1979, the building was failing to meet the needs of the community and the escalating costs of its own repairs.

The dais

After an ambitious Redevelopment completed in 1986, not only were new community rooms created and major restoration achieved but a new central dais/ sanctuary introduced.

By 1997, despite increased use by the community and further improvements (including a new chapel for Daily Prayer) the rate of dilapidation was again far out-stripping the congregation’s ability to repair.  Alongside this, the demand to host services seating 600-800 was falling rapidly. The heating and lighting system could no longer cope with the vast volume of space, and masonry was beginning to fall off the Tower.

Crisis

The church was in crisis again: it seemed all was lost, and the abandonment of the building almost inevitable.

However, the congregation felt called to have one last try, and formed a partnership with the Diocese of Blackburn, Blackpool Borough Council, and Blackpool Challenge Partnership to attempt to save the building.

Millennium bells

Several setbacks followed, but as the bells rang out from St.John’s Tower at the stroke of midnight to herald the new millennium, St. John’s Development Company had been formed. Led by the late Mr. Sam Lee (a local solicitor and H.M. Coroner), the company worked hard to explore and secure grants as well as launching a major public appeal.

By the end of 2003, and having raised over £200,000 through the public appeal, the company had secured not only grants to build new extensive community facilities but had attracted a further grant to rebuild the ‘Streetlife Shelter’ which provides emergency accommodation for homeless young people.

By Easter 2005 the Open Door Community Centre, complete with its own independent entrance, was hosting a variety of community, conference and commercial activities.

Contemporary worship area

Later on that year, with continuing fund-raising, a new Contemporary Worship Area was added in the west of the nave (seating 250-350), along with a new church entrance, chapel and Heritage Centre.

To ensure that no heritage was lost, the Transepts have been developed as a conservation area, re-forming a traditional church and chapel (seating around 180) and redeveloping access through the existing South Door.

With the renovation of the Tower completed and repairs to the roof to be completed by Summer 2006, much has been achieved for one of Blackpool’s oldest buildings.