Well-known rare and historic Derby inner ring road church throwing open its doors

History buffs will love the chance to view St John's this weekend
-Credit: (Image: Google Maps)


The first new church to be built in Derby for more than 300 years - following the 16th century Reformation religious revolution - is throwing open its doors this weekend. It is all part of national Heritage Days openings across the country during September.

St John's Church, with its Tudor-Gothic turrets, is a familiar sight on the corner of Mill Street and Bridge Street as motorists travel from Friar Gate to St Alkmund's Way. It is often likened to a castle with its towers and tessellations, designed by Francis Goodwin, who was also working on the design of the County Jail in Vernon Street at the time.

The grade II*-listed church is loosely based on the design of the Chapel of St John's at Cambridge and is known as a Commissioners' Church because it was built following the 1818 Church Act which sought to encourage new Anglican churches to be built and cost just over £6,000 to build.

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Visitors to the venue this weekend, especially those with an interest in the Friar Gate and West End areas of Derby, will be able to view the church's archives and photo albums, which will be on display.

The corner of Mill Street and Brick Street as the Whit Tuesday parade from St John's Church takes place in the early 1900s
The corner of Mill Street and Brick Street as the Whit Tuesday parade from St John's Church takes place in the early 1900s -Credit:Derby Telegraph

A church spokesman said: "There will be three talks on the area by local historians on Saturday, including by Maxwell Craven, which people can book into entirely free.

"We have a lunchtime organ recital where our magnificent organ will be exercised and during the afternoon, we shall be offering people the chance to be a guest at a 50's style wedding. In the evening we have Burton Concert Band performing well known music with music from the shows and a tribute to Gershwin. Alongside all these events we have refreshments on sale and a grand raffle.

"We are also holding a service of celebration at 9.45am on Sunday (15) when we are inviting as many people as possible, who have links with the church and the building ,to come along and share in this special service.

"The weekend is important to us as we strive to ensure that St John's is recognised in the midst of all the new university building as a place of worship, steadfastness and culture and so that we can make further grant bids to keep it renovated, restored and fit for purpose for many years to come."

The church is notable for the extensive use of decorative cast iron, supplied by Weatherhead, Glover and Co, of Duke Street (later Handyside’s), including the gallery and all the Gothic window framing. Later, the church acquired a chancel and a larger vestry. In 1904, the ogiform (onion) caps on the corner turrets were removed, leaving the church looking like an upturned table. Locals called it the Table Church. It is the only Commissioners' Church in the city.

More information about the weekend can be found by clicking here