St John's Church, Kidderminster is a

Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britai ...

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...

Kidderminster Kidderminster is a large market and historic minster town and civil parish in Worcestershire, England, south-west of Birmingham and north of Worcester. Located north of the River Stour and east of the River Severn, in the 2011 census, it ha ...

Worcestershire Worcestershire ( , ; written abbreviation: Worcs) is a county in the West Midlands of England. The area that is now Worcestershire was absorbed into the unified Kingdom of England in 927, at which time it was constituted as a county (see H ...

, England. The church is a Grade II listed building.

History

The first St John the Baptist Church was built between 1842 and 1843 to designs by the architect George Alexander. It was known locally as the 'Black Church'. It was created as a parish in 1867 out of that of St Mary and All Saints' Church, Kidderminster. The present church was rebuilt between 1892 and 1904 by J. A. Chatwin and incorporated the tower and spire of the earlier church, and was consecrated by the Bishop of Worcester

Charles Gore Charles Gore (22 January 1853 – 17 January 1932) was a Church of England bishop, first of Worcester, then Birmingham, and finally of Oxford. He was one of the most influential Anglican theologians of the 19th century, helping reconcile the c ...

on 13 February 1904. In 1972 offices and vestries were constructed within the nave by Burman Goodall & Partners. The refectory and children's room were added then and the organ was moved to the west end of the nave over the refectory.

Vicars

*Revd Melsup Hill 1844 - 1857 *Revd George Kewley 1858 - 1882 *Canon John Kershaw 1882 - 1911 *Revd R. Stephenson 1911 - 1920 *Revd R. Bertie Roberts 1920 - 1936 *Revd J.H. Balmforth 1937 - 1943 *Canon Hugh Roberts 1943 - 1952 *Revd Arthur Trippass 1952 - 1960 *Revd Anthony Balmforth 1960 - 1966 *Revd Alan Doyle 1966 - 1967 *Revd Derek Barratt 1967 - 1978 *Revd M H Stagg 1978 - 1980 *Revd F. Hillebrand 1980 - 1991 (team rector from 1990) *Revd Charles Raven 1990-2000 *Revd G. Smith 1991 - 2000 *Revd H Goddard 2000 - 2009 *Revd D. Arnold 2009 - 2014 *Fr Tim Williams 2015-present

Organ

The organ dates from 1909 by Nicholson and Co. of Worcester. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Organists

*William Taylor until 1868 (afterwards organist at St Mary and All Saints' Church, Kidderminster) *George Arthur Hardacre 1868 - 1869 *G.E. Blunden 1869 - 1877 * William Edward Wadely 1877 - 1943 (formerly organist at Tamworth Parish Church)

Clock

In 1856 St Mary’s Church was installing a new clock and gave the old one built by Henry Knight of Birmingham and dating from 1828 to St John’s. It was installed in St John’s in October 1856 with new dials by voluntary subscription and was a great benefit to the residents of the area.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kidderminster, St John Church of England church buildings in Worcestershire Grade II listed churches in Worcestershire Churches completed in 1843 1843 establishments in England Buildings and structures in Kidderminster