|
|
|
History of the Church
The first church of St. John the Evangelist Hull was built in the last decade of the eighteenth century by the Reverend Thomas Dykes. The Church stood on the dock side just north of Monument Bridge on the site now occupied by the Ferens Art Gallery and was consecrated on the 30th of August 1791 by Dr. Markham, Archbishop of York. The Church of St. John played an important part in the religious life in Hull due to a succession of gifted clergy and a congregation which numbered many influential people.
Due to movement of population, it was decided to take the Church life to the new housing estates, and the old Church was closed in 1916 and the living transferred to St. John the Evangelist Rosmead Street. A wooden Church was erected and taken into use by the Reverend H. Culwick, who was followed by the Reverend S.G. Gamen, who had been curate of St. Barnabas Hull, and was appointed in 1921. During this incumbency, the permanent Church was built and consecrated. On April 9th 1923 the wooden Church which had contained much of the furnishings and equipment of the original Church in Victoria Square, was completely destroyed by fire, and the services were transferred to the Mission Church of St. Bartholomew in Hedon Road. On October 11 th of the same year a new temporary Church, the old Parish Hall, was dedicated by the Bishop of Hull (Dr. Guerdon). Services and meetings were still held in St. Bartholomew's, Hedon Road.
The building has continued to stand in its present form for the last 55 years, and in May 2002 the Church celebrated its 50th year since its re-dedication. Again a large congregation celebrated this achievement and the Archbishop of York, Or. David Hope led the service with many of the past vicars and members of the congregations over the years present.
St. John's has many people and organisations to thank for the whole process it has gone through. Without them we would still have a large building used once a week, unable to help and provide a base for the local community because of its inaccessibility. Although the congregation is small it looks forward to the future, a future that will see the inside of the building re-ordered to meet the needs of an ever changing population. It's to be hoped that the building will become multi-functional and be used both by the church and local community. Above all that it will be a place that will be to the glory of God.
Steve Coupland (Churchwarden) 2007
|
