St. John of Beverley

Introduction

The church is an example of Victorian Gothic style, described by Nikolaus Pevsner as 'Gothic in a free, playful way, with an asymmetrically placed turret'.

Architecture and furnishings

The church was first used for Mass on Christmas Day 1897 and formally opened on 10 March 1898. The church is in Gothic Revival style, built of red and brown brick with ashlar dressings and Welsh slate roof. The church has an unaisled continuous five-bay nave and chancel with canted east end and south chapel. The interior includes a gallery and organ loft to the west end and a timber purlin roof.

A single-storey porch forms a passage across the west end, featuring a Tudor-arched entrance and a statue of St John in a niche above. Above the entrance, a pair of three-light basket-arched windows with decorated tracery sit under crocketed ogee gables, with a statue of the Virgin and Child in a niche at the gable. The church has a bell tower on the left and an oculus at the east end.

A fine chamber organ made by Kenneth Tickell & Co., of Northampton, is housed in the church. The choirs sing at both the Saturday and Sunday Masses, and new members are always welcome.

Parish life

The parish's St Vincent de Paul Group gathers in the hall on alternate Wednesdays. During term-time, a Children's liturgy is held at the Sunday Mass. The parish has a flower arranging team and a church cleaning team.

Regular events

A Novena of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour is held every Wednesday immediately after Mass. Tea and coffee are served after Mass every Sunday and Wednesday.

Visiting

A guide by the late John Markham is available in the church. Full access facilities for wheelchairs are available, including access and a disabled toilet.