Welcome to St John's

History - Spire, Tower and Bells

The church has a broach spire with tower and four gable windows in the spire, at a height of 85 feet from ground level, and including a lightning conductor. The levels for the Church Spire and Tower were taken from Rock End, Mow-Cop and the entrance archway of the stables at Knypersley Hall, in order to make the spire perpendicular.

The single Bell in the Tower, which has no clock face, has had three different hanging sites. Originally it was sited at the gable windows; however in 1853 this hanging frame collapsed due to the Bell's weight, and it was re-sited some 12 feet lower by the tower Louvre Transom windows. In 1896 this wooden hanging frame collapsed again - this time due to dry rot, and a new site was made some 5 feet above the ringing room. The present bell weighs 4½ cwts and was cast of phosphor bronze in 1952 by Mears of London. In general the bell itself is now only rung at funerals; before most services a tape recording of the bells of Lichfield cathedral is broadcast through loudspeakers situated in the church tower.

Church - Approaching from Stoke-on-Trent