Heritage Open Day at St John’s, Redhill

The church of St John the Evangelist built in 1843, and later enlarged (1889-95) by architect John Loughborough Pearson, the famed exponent of Victorian Gothic, will be open for guided tours from 14.30 hrs to 17.00 hrs on both Saturday, 11 September and Sunday, 12 September.

St John’s splendid 185 ft spire is a familiar landmark visible from much of Redhill, Earlswood and Salfords. It houses eight bells, installed in 1895, and hung for full circle ringing with the peal considered to be one of the easiest going in Surrey.

The church features the original Victorian stained glass windows, and an outstanding organ installed in 1897 built by Henry Willis, (famously known as Father Willis), who also built or rebuilt around 1,000 organs, including Alexandra Palace, the Royal Albert Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Musical Events
On Saturday 11 September at 17.00 hrs the choir of St John’s will give a special recital conducted by Director of Music Clement Hetherington entitled “Music in the House of God”.

On Sunday 12 September, at 16.00 hrs, there will be an organ recital by Robert Cooper, featuring music by Alfred Hollins, organist of St John’s from 1884 to 1888.
Although blind from birth, Hollins became a world-famous composer and recitalist and returned to St John’s in 1897 to give a recital marking the opening of the refurbished church on the then new organ.

For further information about St John the Evangelist see the website:
https://www.stjohnsredhill.org.uk/news

Photo credit: St. Johns, Redhill