St John's Church, Kidderminster is a Church of England parish church in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England. The church is a Grade II listed building.The Buildings of England : Worcestershire: Nikolaus Pevsner.

History The first St John the Baptist Church was built between 1842 and 1843 to designs by the architect George Alexander. It was known locally as the 'Black Church'. It was created as a parish in 1867 out of that of St Mary and All Saints' Church, Kidderminster.

The present church was rebuilt between 1892 and 1904 by J. A. Chatwin and incorporated the tower and spire of the earlier church, and was consecrated by the Bishop of Worcester Charles Gore on 13 February 1904.

In 1972 offices and vestries were constructed within the nave by Burman Goodall & Partners. The refectory and children's room were added then and the organ was moved to the west end of the nave over the refectory.

Vicars

Revd Melsup Hill 1844 - 1857 Revd George Kewley 1858 - 1882 Canon John Kershaw 1882 - 1911 Revd R. Stephenson 1911 - 1920 Revd R. Bertie Roberts 1920 - 1936 Revd J.H. Balmforth 1937 - 1943 Canon Hugh Roberts 1943 - 1952 Revd Arthur Trippass 1952 - 1960 Revd Anthony Balmforth 1960 - 1966 Revd Alan Doyle 1966 - 1967 Revd Derek Barratt 1967 - 1978 Revd M H Stagg 1978 - 1980 Revd F. Hillebrand 1980 - 1991 (team rector from 1990) Revd Charles Raven 1990 - 2000 Revd G. Smith 1991 - 2000 Revd H Goddard 2000 - 2009 Revd D. Arnold 2009 - 2014 Fr Tim Williams 2015 - 2025 Currently in vacancy

Organ The organ dates from 1909 by Nicholson and Co. of Worcester. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Organists

William Taylor until 1868 (afterwards organist at St Mary and All Saints' Church, Kidderminster) George Arthur Hardacre 1868 - 1869 G.E. Blunden 1869 - 1877 William Edward Wadely 1877 - 1943 (formerly organist at Tamworth Parish Church)

Ernest Hill (c.1944) Edward Forshaw (c.1948) Gerry Thacker Roy Seville ?? - 2003 Christopher Strickland 2004 - 2016 Ian Thompson 2016 - present

Clock In 1856 St Mary’s Church was installing a new clock and gave the old one built by Henry Knight of Birmingham and dating from 1828 to St John’s. It was installed in St John’s in October 1856 with new dials by voluntary subscription and was a great benefit to the residents of the area.

References