Peasedown Parish Church celebrated its 130th anniversary

One of our local area's most active churches celebrated its 130th anniversary at a special service on Sunday 25th June.

St John's Church in Peasedown St John first opened the doors of its current building in Church Road in 1893 and has been serving parishioners ever since!

Built at the cost of £2,000, St John's was constructed to replace an Iron Church that had stood in the same location, which was originally erected in 1874.

The historic building is full of stories, including those surrounding its opening all those years ago.

Revd Matthew Street, who has served as Parish Priest since 2005, said:

"St John's Parish Church has so much to celebrate! For 130 years, it has 'stood the test of time' and been a part of the fabric of the community of Peasedown St John.
The church has always had a central role in the life of the village. So many families have been a part of our story here at St John's. If only these walls could talk, so to speak! Please do join us for our special celebratory event on Sunday 25th June."

The actual day the present church was consecrated was Saturday 24th June 1893.

Since its opening, 11 clergymen have served as 'Vicars of the Parish'. The longest in post was Revd C. Gamlen, who led the parish for 26 years from 1882 to 1908. Revd Matthew Street, the present vicar, is currently the fourth longest with 18 years (and counting) in post.

Some of St John's history includes:

The installation of the village's first War Memorial in the church, erected in 1928 (10 years after the First World War).
The use of gas lighting up until 1939 before electric lighting was installed.
Men and women sitting separately in the church, as was the custom in many churches at the time, until the 1910's.
The erection of the Second World War Memorial in 1953, the year of HM Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.

For more details about the history of St John's Church visit the church's website www.stjsgroup.church, or read 'Peasedown St John and Carlingcott: A Look Back In Time' Volume 2, by Dick Graham. Copies are available at Peasedown Community Library.

St John's special 130th Anniversary Service was held in the church (Church Road, Peasedown St John) on Sunday 25th June at 10.30am.