St. John's Church Chronology

based on John Roper's historical notes



A view from around 1800.

1755   Act of Parliament for "Erecting and Building a New Chapel. . . In Wolverhampton. . . a large and populous trading place. . ." Money raised by public subscription, augmented by a gift of £1,000 from Lord Stamford, who became Patron. The New Chapel, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, built by Roger Eykyn, of Wolverhampton, working under the supervision of William Baker, of Audlem, Cheshire.
 
1758   Church damaged by fire. Money for repairs raised by Brief. The response to the appeal was so great that a Spire was added. This was not, it seems, part of the original design. Eykyn's other church, St. Paul's, Birmingham (1776) was first built without a spire.
 

26th June
1760

  St. John's consecrated by the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. A London Newspaper "The Public Ledger" commented on "the decency and good order" of the people present. The Rev. Benjamin Clement, B.A., Headmaster of Wolverhampton Grammar School, appointed first Minister.
 
1761   Samuel Whitehouse, of Wolverhampton, gave the silver Communion plate, made by Thomas Whipham and Charles Wright, London.
 
1762   The famous Renatus Harris organ purchased for £500 and set up in West gallery. Opened on 18th March by WilIiam Bond, a distinguished local musician.
 
1779 to 80   Embellishment of church interior. Altar piece, by Joseph Barney, R.A. Barney was a Wolverhampton artist and Painter of Fruit and Flowers to King George III. Royal Arms hung from West gallery, a particularly fine example, probably the work of William Ellam, Wolverhampton.
 
1787   Churchyard walks laid out and planted with lime trees.
 
1791   First mention of St. John's Beadle. Laced hat, cane, staff and buckles purchased for him. With the dog-whipper, he became one of the more important church officials, and great expense was lavished on him by the Churchwardens.
 
1802   Church clock, by Joseph Underhill, set up in steeple. Paid for largely by proceeds of a 5d. rate.
 
1817
to 18
  Church interior lit by candle lamps, chandeliers and sconces.
 
1819   William Ryton, famous Japanner, of Old Hall Works, became Church warden. St. John's had strong links with Wolverhampton's Japan trade at this period.
 
1832   St. John's Schools, Cleveland Street, opened.
 
1843   Robert Noyes, celebrated Staffordshire water colour artist, died. Noyes was for many years associated with St. John's and is buried in the churchyard.
 
1849   St. John's ceased to be a chapel of ease to Wolverhampton Collegiate Church and became a parish church.
 
1854 to 69   First major restorations of fabric, including renewal of roof. During the last phase of restoration work, Drayton Wyatt, pupil of Sir Gilbert Scott, was placed in charge. Nave interior altered to its present form at this period.
 
1899   Chancel panelling erected, with Barney's altar piece as central feature.
 
1905   Church first lit by electricity.
 
1929   Chancel altar completed. Designed by J. A. Swann, well-known Midland church architect.
 
1940   Dedication of Kilby Memorial Chapel. Thomas Arthur Kilby was Headmaster of St. John's Day School, and Churchwarden. Most of the woodwork in the chapel was executed by the Rev. Joseph Hartill, Vicar.
 
1962   Vestibule doors in West Porch dedicated, in memory of the Rev. Robert Allen, Vicar, and Harold Fidler, Churchwarden.
 
1963   New Lectern and Bible placed in church in memory of J. C. Hastilow, Lay Reader.
 
1965   Altar cross and candlesticks, by J. Francis Coote, dedicated in memory of Roger Edward Gill.
 
1969   Churchyard made into Hayward Memorial Garden. Visit of H.M. Queen Mother.
 
 

A view from the west.

 

A view from the east.

A full-scale restoration of the fabric began in 1964, under the direction of A. B. Chatwin, F.R.I.B.A. The generosity of the chief benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hayward, is very gratefully acknowledged.

The organisation known as the Friends of St. John's Parish Church, was formed in 1966, so that all who love and appreciate this fine example of 18th century church building may support the work which St. John's is privileged to carry out in the town and neighbourhood.


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