Rebuilding: St John’s Church, Blackpool (Architectural Competition)
A competition for the re-building of St John’s Church, Blackpool was announced in July 1875 with results announced at the end of August, the first premium being awarded to Ladds and Powell. However, the scheme progressed only slowly, application for a faculty still to be made in December 1875. Tenders were finally sought in late June 1876 and, after an extension of time had been granted, these were received on 1 August. Although the Preston Herald later reported that demolition of the old church was to commence in late October, the Building Committee were silent on the matter. (It is assumed that the tenders were too high, resulting in the termination of the services of Ladds and Powell and the appointment of Garlick Park and Sykes, architects, of Preston.) Progress became much more rapid and by Christmas 1876, plans for a new scheme had been prepared and tenders were being sought. – See Garlick Park and Sykes (qv) for details of the scheme as built.
COMPETITION - ST. JOHNS PARISH CHURCH, BLACKPOOL - The Committee appointed for carrying out the re-erection of the above church are prepared to receive PLANS, ELEVATIONS, and ESTIMATES, to be sent in by Thursday 12 August next. Each plan must be distinguished by a motto or mark, and the name of the architect must be given under seal in the usual manner. Premiums of £20 and £10 respectively will be paid for the plans which, in the opinion of the Committee, stand first and second in merit. Block plans and conditions can be had on application to the Rev N S Jeffrey M A, Blackpool. [Preston Herald 3 July 1875 page 4]
RE-BUILDING OF ST JOHN’S PARISH CHURCH, BLACKPOOL – The designs sent in for the re-building of St John’s Church, Blackpool, have been exhibited during the week in a room over the Aquarium, kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by W H Cocker Esq. Mr E G Paley, architect, of Lancaster, to whom the plans were submitted, has awarded the first premium to the design of Messrs Ladds and Powell, of London, the second to Mr Asahel Bell of Manchester, and commended the design by Messrs E J Dodgshun and Unsworth of London and Leeds [ Preston Herald 28 August 1875 page 6]
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, BLACKPOOL -Thirteen sets of designs were submitted in competition for the erection of this church; and the committee having called in the services of Mr. Paley, of Lancaster, to advise them, selected those under the motto of " Circe," by Messrs. Ladds and Powell, of London, who have been commissioned to carry out the work. The church is to take the place of one comparatively old, and much smaller, which now stands on the site, and is to be pulled down. The new church is to accommodate 1,300 people, a considerable proportion of whom have to be provided for in galleries, owing to the somewhat restricted nature of the site. The design placed next in order of merit was marked " Red Cross on White Shield," by Mr. A. Bell, of Manchester. [Building News 10 September 1875 page 278]
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, BLACKPOOL - It is proposed to build this church on the site of an existing building, and, as the materials (bricks) are good, it is intended to use them in the new erection, faced on the exterior with Yorkshire parpoints, in even courses of about 3in. deep, and all dressings and tracery to windows, &c., to be of Longridge stone. The present building has been added to from time to time till it is perfectly impossible to enlarge it again with any prospect of success, and the south wall is very much bulged and out of the perpendicular; the ventilation is also very bad. As it became a necessity to provide considerably more accommodation for the parish, consisting of about 4,500 souls, which in the season is very much increased, it was determined to advertise for plans in competition, the result being that 13 sets were sent in from different architects. The committee then called in Mr. Paley, of Lancaster, who awarded the first premium to Messrs. Ladds and Powell, of London, and the second to Mr. A. Bell, of Manchester. The requirements of the competition were to provide sitting accommodation for 1,000 persons on the ground floor, and for 300 more in galleries, the site being very restricted, especially in the length, owing to existing graves. The tower of the present church holds a good peal of bells, and they will be used in the new tower, which is to be surmounted by a stone spire. [Builder 11 September 1875 page 813]
REBUILDING OF ST JOHN'S PARISH CHURCH - A vestry meeting was held at St. John's Parish Church. Blackpool, on Monday afternoon, for the purpose of approving of plans for the new church, and passing resolutions that it was necessary to adopt before applying to the Bishop for a faculty. The chair was occupied by the vicar, the Rev. N. S. Jeffrey, M.A.. ……. Mr. Ladds, of the firm Ladds and Powell, architects, by whom the plans were prepared was in attendance. The chairman explained the object of the meeting, and a discussion afterwards took place relative to the number and position of the free seats. It was stated that 232 of the 810 seats contained in the present church were free, and when re-built the church will accommodate 1304 persons. It was ultimately decided that the meeting, after considering the plans produced, were of the opinion that the present church should be pulled down, and a new one built on the site from the design prepared by Messrs Ladds and Powell, and that one-third of the sittings in the new church should be (un)appropriated; the said sittings to be 239 in the north and south galleries, and the remainder, 194, at the west end of the nave. [Preston Chronicle 4 December 1875 page]
ST JOHN'S PARISH CHURCH, BLACKPOOL - The resident population of St. John's Parish, Blackpool, in 1871 was 4,459. Since then, it has greatly increased, whilst in the season this number is swelled by very many thousands of visitors. The present church contains only 810 sittings, of which the greater number are either in or under galleries, consequently in the season it is not only for too small to contain the crowds of worshippers who would attend, but those who are present suffer from the bad ventilation. The church, moreover, is badly arranged, it having been erected at seven different times, and the south gallery wall is unsafe. The parishioners have therefore determined to pull it down, and to erect a stone church (lined with bricks), built according to the design of Messrs. Ladds and Powell (selected by G. E. Paley, Esq. of Lancaster, as the best of thirteen competitive seta of designs sent in), to hold over 1,800 sittings, at a cost of £7.000. Residents and visitors are alike earnestly requested to contribute. Subscriptions paid direct to Dr. Pickup, New Road, Blackpool, or to his account, as treasurer, at the Preston Bank, Blackpool or at the Manchester and Salford Bank, St Ann's Square, Manchester, will be duty acknowledged. [Manchester Guardian 11 February 1876 page 1]
Tenders required, in separate trades, or for the whole of the work to be done in TAKING DOWN and REBUILDING St JOHN’S CHURCH, Blackpool, Lancashire, or rebuilding alone, the Committee taking down the present church and supplying the contractor with bricks. Plans and specifications to be seen at the Vestry, Blackpool. Quantities and all particulars to be obtained of Messrs Ladds and Powell, architects, 4 Chapel Street, Bedford Row, London W C to whom tenders are to be delivered by 11 am on the 15th day of July next. The lowest of ant tender will not necessarily be accepted. [Preston Herald 24 June 1876 page 8]
Extension of Time for sending in Tenders, in separate trades, or for the whole of the work to be done in TAKING DOWN and REBUILDING St JOHN’S CHURCH, Blackpool, Lancashire, or rebuilding alone, the Committee taking down the present church and supplying the contractor with bricks. Plans and specifications to be seen at the Vestry, Blackpool. Quantities and all particulars to be obtained of Messrs Ladds and Powell, architects, 4 Chapel Street, Bedford Row, London W C to whom tenders are to be delivered by 11 am on the first day of August next. The lowest of ant tender will not necessarily be accepted. [Manchester Guardian 22 July 1876 page 5]
St JOHN’S PARISH CHURH BLACKPOOL – It is intended to pull down this church about the end of October to clear the site for the larger and more beautiful building which is to be erected. The new church will hold 1,300 persons, or 500 more than the present edifice. [Preston Herald 9 August 1876 page 6]
Reference Preston Herald 3 July 1875 – competition announced
Reference Preston Herald 28 August 1875 page 6 – competition results
Reference Building News 10 September 1875 page 278 - competition results
Reference Builder 11 September 1875 page 813 - competition results
Reference Preston Chronicle 4 December 1875 page vestry meeting
Reference Preston Herald 24 June 1876 page 8- contracts
Reference Preston Herald 1 July 1876 page 8- contracts
Reference Manchester Courier 1 July 1876 page 3- contracts
Reference Manchester Guardian 22 July 1876 page 5 contracts
Reference Preston Herald 9 August 1876 page 6 - progress
