St John

St John’s Baxenden is a Victorian Gothic church dating from 1877, located in the semi-rural village of Baxenden on the outskirts of Accrington. Designed by WS Varley, the building features a tall nave and chancel separated by an ornate stone arch. Its tower, topped with a spire rising to 120 feet, houses six bells cast by W Glen & Sons of Birmingham.

Inside, a painting above the altar is believed to depict ‘The Calling of Matthew’. The church is renowned for its three chancel stained-glass windows illustrating events in the lives of St John the Baptist and St John the Divine, designed and crafted by the London firm Lavers, Barraud and Westlake. Additionally, eleven more stained-glass windows were created by Powell & Sons and the artist AO Hemming, enriching the church’s interior with vibrant colours and intricate detail.

Commemorative plaques are found throughout the building. Notably, beneath the memorial window dedicated to Henry Todd on the north side of the nave, a brass tablet records that the stained-glass window was installed through public subscription. Todd served as Headmaster of Baxenden School for thirty-three years, dedicating his life to the intellectual and spiritual development of his students.

Just inside the churchyard entrance stands the Baxenden War Memorial, an ornate stone cross crafted from Cornish granite, with inscriptions commemorating those who served in the Great War. Thirty-six names of local soldiers are inset in lead on the pedestal base, and the memorial serves as a focal point for community remembrance. Both the church and the memorial garden frequently display a Roll of Honour detailing the lives of fallen soldiers from the district.

Renovations completed in 1996 introduced a narthex (lounge), kitchen, restrooms, and a balcony. The cellar was remodelled as a youth space, although it is currently out of commission pending future improvements. The church includes a graveyard, which is still in use, as well as a Garden of Remembrance.

We are passionate to continue building our church family through prayer, and a genuine desire to be involved in the community we serve.