St John’s History – Open Day

Choir Concert, Organ Recital and History tours

From 2pm: the church will be open from 2pm to share the history of its transformation from a small local church into today’s imposing building designed by a leading exponent of Victorian Gothic architecture, John Loughborough Pearson. Guided tours will be available.

St John’s organist Robert Cooper will give visitors the opportunity to find out how the Church’s famed Father Willis organ works, allowing them to try it for themselves.

At 4pm: there will be a recital from St John’s robed choir, themed to a celebration of the Music of Choral Evensong, by St John’s robed choir led by Musical Director, Clement Hetherington.

Robert Cooper will contribute pieces from famed organist and composer, Alfred Hollins (11 September 1865 to 17 May 1942), whose first professional appointment was in fact as an organist at St John’s, in 1884. Hollins went on to a career…