St John the Evangelist, Woodley, is a parish church in Woodley, close to Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It is a Church of England church in the Reading DeaneryReading Deanery of the Diocese of Oxford.Map of the Diocese of Oxford
The church was built by Robert Palmer in 1873. In 1987 an extension was added to the south-east wall. Adjacent to the church is the St John's Centre, a Grade II listed building which was formerly a Church of England school but is now used as the church hall and office. Across the road from the church is the Vicarage.
Ministers Name Appointed PositionRev. Mark Nam 甄英深2024Vicar Rev. Edilberto (Eddie) Marquez 2008 Priest-in-Charge/Vicar Rev. Jon Honour 2006 Acting Priest-in-Charge Rev. Ann Douglas 2002 Team Rector Rev. Fred Woods 1995 Team Rector Rev. Ian Watson 1989 Vicar/Team Rector Rev. John Congdon 1983 Vicar Rev. John Eastgate 1974 Vicar Rev. H. W. H. Wilkinson 1948 Vicar Rev. K.F. Way 1945 Vicar Rev. W. H. Trebble 1940 Vicar Rev. Cyril Donne 1930 Vicar Rev. Philip Gray 1925 Vicar Rev. Frederick F. Penruddock 1913 Vicar Rev. Ernest Angel Gray 1881 Vicar
Parish of Woodley Originally part of the Parish of Sonning, Woodley became its own Parish in 1881.British History Online In the 1960s St James' Church, Woodley was planted and came under the authority of St John's Church, being led by a curate until 1992.Benefice of Southlake St James Woodley
While Ian Watson was Vicar,Linked in, Ian Watson St John's Church planted Emmanuel Church, Woodley in 1991 by employing a Church Army couple called Richard & Mandy Priestley.
The following year, 1992, saw the one parish of Woodley become two parishes within a Team Ministry. The Parish of St John the Evangelist contained St John's Church and Emmanuel Church, whilst the new Parish of Southlake contained St James Church with the curate at the time, Rev. Paul Roberts becoming a Team Vicar.Church Appointments, The Independent, August 1992 The Team Rector based at St John the Evangelist Church led the team of clergy for both parishes.Church Appointments, The Independent, October 1992
Woodley Airfield Church was planted jointly by St John's Church and Christ Church in 1993. Airfield Church is ecumenical, having Church of England, Methodist, and URC leadership.
Following the controversial departure'Ungodly behaviour' and fisticuffs in the quiet parish of Woodley of the Rev. Ann Douglas in 2006, the Benefice of Woodley was suspended in order that the future of the Team Ministry could be reviewed. During the interregnum the Rev. Jon Honour, Team Vicar at Emmanuel Church, was appointed Acting Priest-in-Charge of St John's Church, assisted by the then curate, the Rev. Jason Reid.
In 2007, the PCCs of St Johns and St James independently voted to dissolve the Team Ministry and establish a Group Ministry in its place. Rev. Marquez was licensed as Priest in Charge in March 2008.
The induction of Rev. Mark Nam as Vicar for St John's Church happened in May 2024.
All three Anglican Churches in Woodley are part of Churches Together in Woodley.Church Together in Woodley
References
External links St John the Evangelist Church, Woodley Emmanuel Church, Woodley Woodley Airfield Church St James Church