St John's Church, Kidderminster

St John’s Church stands in the centre of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, as a Church of England parish church. The present building was rebuilt between 1892 and 1904 by J. A. Chatwin, who kept the tower and spire of the earlier 1842–43 church. The earlier church had been known locally as the ‘Black Church’ and became a separate parish in 1867. In 1972 offices and vestries were built inside the nave by Burman Goodall & Partners. The organ was moved to the west end of the nave over the new refectory and children’s room. The church is worth the journey for its fine Victorian architecture and its historic clock. The clock was built in 1828 by Henry Knight of Birmingham and was given to St John’s in 1856. It was installed with new dials paid for by local subscriptions and proved useful to residents. The present organ dates from 1909 and was made by Nicholson and Co. of Worcester. Organists have included Ernest Hill, Edward Forshaw, Gerry Thacker, Roy Seville, Christopher Strickland and Ian Thompson. Visitors find a spacious nave with modern offices and vestries added in 1972. The organ stands at the west end above the refectory and children’s room. The tower and spire from the earlier church rise above the town centre. The 1856 clock remains in place with its original mechanism. The church’s Grade II listing recognises its architectural importance.