Building record 7283 - St John’s Presbyterian Church and Sunday School

<1> Hartwell C, Hyde M, Hubbard E & Pevsner N, 2011, The Buildings of England: Cheshire (2011 revision), p.561 (Book). SCH7059.

1893 by T.W.Cubbon, finished in 1904. Of rock faced stone with a SW tower and free dec tracery.

<2> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Smallwood M 12/09/2013 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

Architectural: - The building is identified in Pevsner’s ‘The Buildings of England – Cheshire’ and is described as being built in 1893 by T.W.Cubbon, finished in 1904. Of rock faced stone with a SW tower and free dec tracery. T.W. Cubbon was a Birkenhead based architect who designed a number of churches including Prenton United Reform Church. The building is distinctive due to its integrated aisles and single span slate roof. The east and west elevations are further articulated by alternating decorated windows, two of which sit within below the eaves of the roof and two which punch through forming gable details. The south elevation is highly dominate with its impressive gable featuring a large decorated window, positioned over double doors and flanked by the needle-spire with attached pinnacle buttresses. The use of rock faced sandstone to the south elevations gives the building a strong character and highlights the principle elevation of the building, but the use of brick to the reminder of the structure does not take away from the buildings overall form and it is a well balanced and attractively massed structure. The building is a good example of late Victorian church architecture utilising the decorated style, which was the favoured form of the time as it was believed to be the pure gothic architecture.

Artistic: - This element has not been assessed fully, but the building includes stained glass, which is interesting in its own right, but could be of further interest depending on its subject matter and if a firm/designer can be attributed to it. The craftsmanship of the stonework also needs to be considered, whilst not unusual, the stone masonry will be an example of late nineteenth century workmanship. The interior of the building has the potential to have further artistic interest.

Historic: - The Church tells part of the story of the Presbyterian movement within Runcorn and Cheshire. The building has the potential to be of particular interest given that it is a Church purpose built for Presbyterian worship. Then there are the linkages with the public and the communal and social value placed on the building. Given the Churches role in many landmarks in peoples lives, such as christenings, marriages and deaths, these buildings are often held in great affection

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5182 1896-1899 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

The sunday school is depicted first on this map of 1896-1899 and clearly predates the church.

<4> Runcorn and District Historical Society, 2013, The Runcorn and District Historical Society, Runcorn and District's Historic, but Unlisted, Buildings (Web Site). SCH7227.

Opened in 1904, includes photograph.

<5> English Heritage/DCMS, Various, Notification of decision not to include on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Ellis, V 25/09/2013 (Written Communication). SCH5393.

The Sunday school to the rear of the church was built first and is shown on the 1:2500 Ordnance Survey Map published in 1896, while the church is first shown on the map of 1907. The church is built of rock-faced stone has some attractive Gothic detailing, notably the west window and small south-west tower. The attached Sunday school, which is earlier, is built of brick and very plain. The architect Thomas William Cubbon was based in Birkenhead and ran a general practice designing all types of buildings. He has two listed buildings to his name, the former cattle lairages, New Chester Road, Wirral of 1886 (Grade II) and the Wirral Education Centre, Conway Street, Birkenhead, of 1904 (Grade II), but no listed churches, though he did design a number of churches, apparently all Presbyterian, in the north-west. Two of these are on Park Road, Haydock of 1891-2 and Prenton Road West, Birkenhead of 1908-9, and though the three churches share design characteristics St John's is less impressive. The interior of St John's is very plain, with no aisle arcades, unlike Park Road or Prenton Road West, but a west gallery. Such an arrangement was common in Nonconformist denominations and it is not clear that the church demonstrates any characteristics distinctive to Presbyterianism. St John's Presbyterian Church is undoubtedly of local interest and may be a good candidate for a locally listed building.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1893-96, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire, SJ5182 1896 (Maps and Plans). SCH3847.

The Sunday school to the rear of the church was built first and is shown on the 1:2500 Ordnance Survey Map published in 1896.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1907-8, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Lancashire, SJ5182 1907 (Maps and Plans). SCH7233.

The church is first shown on the Lancashire map of 1907

<8> Nexus Heritage, 2013, St John's Church, Victoria Road, Runcorn, Cheshire: Heritage Statement, R4141 (Client Report). SCH8428.

Heritage assessment produced in 2013 for St. John's Church and the Church Hall, Victoria Road, Runcorn as part of a proposal for the site's redevelopment.