Church preservation news
THE St John’s Church Preservation Group of Kates Hill, Dudley, have provided the Bugle with an update of their efforts to save the Grade II Victorian church that was closed in 2002.
The church is undergoing restoration and development to be come an arts, community, enterprise, faith, heritage and nature centre.
Deb Brownlee from the group told the Bugle, “Tim Lees, who has personally undertaken to restore the historic 1886 organ in St John’s, visited after the long winter break to evaluate the condition of the organ. He had left us with an exercise routine for the organ to be carried out weekly which seems to have helped.
“Some minor repairs were needed and some retuning, so although there are always still jobs to do, this magnificent organ played again to the great joy and relief of us all.”
Deb continued, “During the winter storms some roof repairs have become necessary around the organ, altar and pulpit, and donations towards these repairs would be appreciated.
Repairs
“The repairs will be overseen by an appointed architect. Initial advice is to totally remake the roof above the organ chamber, and we await further advice regarding the higher level repairs.”
St John’s is open weekly on Fridays 12-2pm and Sundays 12-2pm. Deb Brownlee said, “As we ease out of restrictions we would like to increase the opening hours of the church. If anyone would like to be a volunteer guide/reception helper and could spare a few hours on a regular basis please get in touch. Ideally we will get the church back to seven day opening. On seven day opening even in the first year we had over 3,000 visitors including many from abroad.”
The group’s address for correspondence and donations is The Old School House, St John’s Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, West Midlands, DY2 7JT, 07522 184461 or 07871 195042, or email savest johnschurch@hotmail.co.uk
St John’s is famous as the final resting place of William Perry, the Tipton Slasher, as well as education pioneer Marion Richardson, the Hanson brewing family, Victorian murder victim Mary Ann Mason, and several war graves.