St John’s, a bostin’ Victorian model from the nineteenth century is about to celebrate
ST John’s Church, Kates Hill, and its surrounding grounds afford a room with a view, a nature walk of peaceful tranquility and a building that runs parallel with the history of the industrial Black Country.
It was opened for worship on July 27, 1840, and this year celebrates 178 years as a famous Dudley landmark. In the right conditions, particularly after the fall of autumn the tower of the church can be seen for miles, and likewise the view across the Black Country is astounding. If you can identify a distant landmark it is easy to start to pick out several Black Country towns. In a photograph taken recently we picked out Wednesbury with its two church towers, St Bartholomew’s and St Mary’s standing out amidst a sea of trees.
Chair of the St John’s Church Preservation Group Deb Brownlee, has been in touch with news of a important event: “An event takes place every year on July 27 to mark the anniversary of the first opening of the church and this year the Preservation Group is delighted to announce that the first Anglican Christian service will take place in the church, with hymns, prayers and readings. It will be led by the Reverend Robert Barlow and has the theme of ‘Giving Thanks and Receiving Blessings’.
Desire
“This is the best birthday present we could possibly offer St John’s and to all the people who have supported us over the years and expressed a desire to attend a service there again. Everyone is welcome on Friday and we hope to receive a handsome congregation on this historic occasion. We have asked the Reverend Barlow to say prayers to thank all those who have helped to save the church, and anyone who wishes to recieve a blessing at the altar will be able to do so. The service commenses at 6pm and earlier in the day from 2pm there will be a family friendly birthday celebration in the church with stalls, entertainment and activities. Refreshments will be available for those who wish to stay for the service.”
When St John’s was built Kates Hill was still a relatively rural area, but soon became a dense residential district with houses occupied by workers employed in local industry during the progress of the Industrial Revolution. In 2002 the church was closed to the public because of safety concerns, but upon the formation of the Preservation Group determined efforts were made to reopen it. On May 21, 2009, St John’s was Grade II listed, and on July 27, 2016, the Group took a lease on the building which was reopened to the puiblic in September the same year. Emergency repair works have been carried out and the building is now ready for on-going restoration.
St John’s was designed by Dudley born William Bourne and is quintessentially the perfect Victorian church.