Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1898
Dove Bell ID: 62695 Tower ID: 25002 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Workington: St John
Diocese of Carlisle
Church, 607368
http://stjohnsworkington.org.ukThis church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2025-11-06)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: NY 4 284
A galleried Commissioners church built in 1823 to a design by Thomas Hardwick under the guidance of his father Philip Hardwick and clearly influenced by the Inigo Jones church of St. Pauls, Covent Garden where Philip Hardwick had carried our restoration work. St. Johns is dominated by a rather heavy later stone tower constructed in 1844 to replace a timber steeple. Something of the Georgian elegance has been lost in the alteration. St. Johns is built of a buff coloured stone from local quarries with rock faced ashlars to the flank walls and plain ashlars, window surrounds, columns, pilasters and mouldings to the front elevation and portico. Internally The church is contained within a simple rectangular plan with galleries to both sides and the east end supported on extremely slender fluted cast iron columns. The base of the tower defines the entrance with stair wells either side giving access to the galleries. The alter in now at the west end although originally the alter was positioned at the east end, as at St. Pauls, Covent Garden. The former entrance porch to the north side is now used as a vestry. The font cover and Baldacchino by J N Cooper date from 1930 re-ordering of the church. The baldacchino is entirely guilded with 9ct gold and such sumptuous decoration seems curiously out of place in the refined elegance of this Georgian interior. The interior is lit by ten two-story bow headed windows in deep splayed recesses with plain glazing. The west window, by Comper, was specifically designed to be viewed in relation to the Baldocchino. The ceiling is flat with simple cornice and light decorative mouldings. The bronze bound oak doors have a large light over which illuminates the Narthex. The parish rooms (Community Hall) adjoining the west end of the church were built in 1881.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 852 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
To come
Exterior Description
Recommend upgrading to Grade I : of national importance.
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th Century
Pennine Coal Measures Sandstone
Slate
19th Century
Westmorland Green Slate
Interior
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: NY 4 284
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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