Welcome to St John's

History - Spire, Tower and Bells

The original communion table was a single slab of Carrara marble (blue flecked), some 6 feet by 3 feet; however it cracked in two in 1870, due to subsidence. A new wooden table was installed in the same year, donated by Robert Heath esq. which lasted until 1932 when it was found to be attacked badly by woodworm and dry-rot. The present table is therefore the third, and was commissioned in 1946 and made by Mr J. Crooke's (son of the old 'Picture Place' owner) in English oak. On the front of this table, are affixed two chair backs of Jacobean age, which originally were sanctuary chairs, and originate from Knypersley Hall. They were carved by one Issac Thorneycroft of Gawsworth, who made many articles of furniture for Sir John-Bowyer first Baronet of Knypersley in 1660. The East Window is a typical decorated tracery window with diamond leaded glass, underneath which are incised stone panels with various texts from the Bible on them including the Ten Commandments. There is also a large English oak Bishop's chair donated in 1971, to replace the two old chairs. It is carved and incised, "In loving memory of Thomas Bennison Organist of this Church 1940-1969."

The Sanctuary