Lancashire

Churches

A large Victorian church in Blackpool's busy centre

The first Blackpool church to bear the name of St John was built in 1821. Its incumbent in 1837, William Thornber, describes it as "a plain brick structure, having a low embattled tower ornamented with pinnacles at the angles." It had round arches throughout, and was first extended in 1832 when the east end was enlarged. In 1866 a new and larger tower replaced the original one. However, this lasted only eleven years, for in 1877 the whole building was taken down and a new church constructed on the site. That church is the building we see today.

The architects of the new St John were the Lancashire firm of Garlick, Park & Sykes. Their church is a large building with a high nave and transepts, low aisles, and a short apsidal chancel. The exterior is of yellow stone, with plate tracery and lancet forms being used for the windows. Pevsner is somewhat dismissive of the building, and it is true that the bulk of the structure is unremarkable. However, the south west tower has an undeniable power, and is, to my mind, a successful piece that adds considerably to the Blackpool townscape.

Pevsner describes the building as being of red ashlar within. However, today it is entirely plastered and painted, and I wonder if he was right in this. At the west end is a gallery with a bracketed and boldly panelled front. Below are 5 round headed arches which are now glazed to allow the space below the gallery to be used as a cafe. The three centre windows of the upper west wall are re-used from the church of 1821. The round headed shapes have been made to fit the lancets by the insertion of a pointed panel of stained glass at the top. The subjects are Christ flanked by Abraham and King David. Above the nave is a roof with very industrial looking collar beams tied with steel rods stretching from wall to wall. The utilitarian effect is enhanced by the paint scheme: most of the main supporting members are grey.

The four bay arcades of the nave continue the early Gothic theme. North and south are aisles with triple lancets. The glass to the south includes windows with some rather unsophisticated portraiture, and is by the Leeds firm of Kayll & Reed. Their best window at St John's is shown below. The north aisle glass is decidedly better. It is by Seward & Co of Lancaster, and includes a Raising of Lazarus that has good colour and a reworking of the medieval style of stained glass figures.

In the north transept are military memorials and standards. A very large model of a Spitfire hangs in the corner. It was given by former members of the Polish squadron of the RAF that was stationed at Squires Gate (now Blackpool Airport) during WW2. The aircraft is painted in the colours of the squadron and includes a portrait of Donald Duck!

The woodwork of the church includes a Last Supper reredos, a WW1 memorial chancel screen, and a large pulpit. The latter has an openwork tester in the form of an ogee cupola suspended on a chain.

Plans are currently (2003) being drawn up to turn the church into a community facility as well as a place of worship. This will include inserting an upper floor in the building. This is necessary to sustain the church into the future.

View from the south east

The sturdy tower is undoubtedly the best feature of the exterior of the church.

The east apse

The short chancel ends in an apse with high windows with plate tracery and lancets.

View from the west gallery

The aisles stop at the short transepts. The altar was brought forward to the dais in 1995.

The west gallery

As in many churches, the space below the west gallery has a new use - here it is a cafe.

South aisle window

The window depicts Christ flanked by Fortitude and Prudence. It is by the Leeds firm of Kayll & Reed.

Tester

The open work tester hangs above the pulpit. It features a Star of David, pinnacles, etc.

Photographs and text © Tony Boughen