St John the Evangelist to celebrate 200 years with special events

St John the Evangelist Church, on Church Street, will open its doors to the public on Friday (September 4) and Saturday (September 5) from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors will be able to see displays of memorabilia and historic artefacts, listen to organ music and enjoy refreshments throughout the day.

There will also be a raffle, while commemorative fine bone china mugs and pens will be available to buy, with proceeds helping to support the church and its anniversary celebrations.

The weekend will culminate in a Service of Celebration at 2pm on Sunday (September 6).

Bishop David, Archdeacon Simon Cook, the Mayor of Bolton and local councillors are expected to attend.

St John’s Church (Image: St John’s Church)

The Grade II listed church has a history stretching back to the early 19th century.

St John the Evangelist was one of the first churches to be erected by the Waterloo Charity Commissioners, using part of a £1 million grant made by the Government.

Its foundation stone was laid on March 4, 1824, by Benjamin Rawson, who donated the land.

The church was built at a cost of £8,000 and originally provided 620 free seats and 328 rented seats.

It was consecrated on September 9, 1826, by the Right Reverend Charles James Bloomfield DD, Bishop of Chester.

The church’s first baptism took place on October 15, 1826, conducted by the Rev R C Burton. The children were Thomas and Eliza Tildsley.

The first interment took place on the same day and was that of John Arstall, a two-and-a-half-year-old child.

It was more than a century before the church recorded its first marriage.

On August 2, 1930, Thomas Pedley and Mary Robinson were married in a ceremony conducted by the Rev T A Ashworth.

By the time of the church’s centenary, there had been 12,348 burials in the churchyard, 21,000 baptisms and 5,500 marriages.

‘£200 for 200 years’ (Image: St John’s Church)

Over the years, the church has also faced a number of challenges.

During a severe storm in 1991, the stone cross on top of the chancel wall fell to the ground.

Subsidence had affected the stability of the east wall and, in 1993, a ten-year programme of restoration work began.

The restoration project cost £400,000 and was aimed at fully restoring the church.

St John the Evangelist has also played a part in more recent local history.

In 2008, the church was used as a filming location for the BBC drama All the Small Things, starring Sarah Lancashire.

Today, the Grade II listed building continues to require costly repairs and maintenance.

The church is currently raising funds for work to its roof and lychgate.

The anniversary celebrations will continue beyond this weekend, with a 200th Anniversary book due to go on sale in October.