Church Heritage Record 607277

W tower with baptistery in base, clerestoried nave with N and S aisles, chancel with N chapel and S vestry. C20 hall to W with WCs and kitchen.

There are few archaeological records in the vicinity of the site. The site has little archaeological potential.

The site is heavily buried to the W of the church and there are interred remains close to the E end. There is limited potential for archaeological implications.

The name ‘Cleator’ derives from rock or cliff. Cleator Moor was established a mile north of Cleator c.1860s. The Cleator Moor ironworks was inaugurated in 1842 with the first ore brought to the surface in 1846. The Montreal mine (iron ore) opened in 1862, owned by Mr John Stirling (associated with some of the fittings in the church). There was also coal mining, limestone quarrying and a flaxmill. Industry was enhanced by the arrival of the railways. The boom had a similar impact on the population. The mines were all closed by 1925.

A mission was established in 1858 and in 1868 the Bishop of Carlisle was given £6,000 by Richard Marquis of Westminster to form two parishes. The site of the church, vicarage and graveyard were given by Thomas Brocklebank. £6,000 was raised by public subscription and the total cost was £8,500. At that time the population was 5,000 and there was no church.

A building was designed by Messrs John Augustus Cory (1819-1887) and Charles John Ferguson (1840-1904) of Carlisle and planned to seat 900. The completed church was consecrated in 1872 as recorded by a brass plaque.

The church was redecorated in 1899 at the expense of John Stirling (of Montreal mine) when the brick nave arches were covered in concrete. ICBS records also show an approved grant for repairs in 1953-5 under the instruction of architects F G Jackson and C B Martindale. In 1972 a new high altar was introduced and the altar rail repositioned to enlarge the sanctuary and new windows at the E end. Choir stalls were moved to the W end and a Lady Chapel created in the S aisle. A screen was inserted across the base of the tower in 2008.

There are mature trees and bushes within the churchyard. No known preservation orders.

The tall square tower of St John’s ensures its presence on approach. The church was built in one phase and the Romanesque or Neo-Norman theme is continued throughout with every arch and window opening having a round-head. Lean-to aisles abut the nave with a clerestory above.

The 3-stage W tower has in its base a round-headed window on each side, and in the upper level paired belfry openings under a containing arch with blind recesses either side. A door on the S side provides access to the belfry.

The main door to the church is on the N side of the N aisle, raised by 5 steps, with handrails to either side. The door is positioned within a decorative carved opening of 3 orders with chevron and floral details, and attached columns with waterleaf columns. It fills a whole bay.

The nave is of 4-bays marked by single round-headed windows at aisle and clerestory level, each beneath a hoodmould. Buttresses are positioned between each bay. The lower windows are all protected by rusting grills. The clerestory windows have been replaced with Perspex.

The E wall is pierced by 3 round-headed lancets, the central being the tallest, and with a continuous hoodmould over the windows, and a sill beneath. The chancel roof is lower and more steeply pitched than the nave.

The interior is huge and lofty, ceiled by a continuous, high, vault – a pointed barrel vault with transverse arches in the nave [Pevsner explains that this was of yellow brick and pink stone but these have been hidden by rendering and painting white]. The combination of clerestory windows and only a little stained glass ensures there is plenty of natural light.

The 4-bay nave is articulated by N and S arcades carrying round brick arches on sandstone columns (clusters of 4 with carved acanthus capitals). The original construction was in brick and sandstone and the brick is visible through the render and paint around the arches. The columns, arches and corbels remain as exposed stone, the rest is painted white. A dog-tooth / chevron-style detail runs continuously at sill level beneath the clerestory and around the arcades.

Carpet extends up the main aisle with pews either side, fixed on raised wood boarded pew platforms. Other areas of floor are paved in stone flags. Decoratively carved choir stalls have been relocated to the W end, in front of the base of the tower. A round moulded tower arch is screened by a wood partition and a curtain at ground level. The space at the base of the tower is ceiled by a domed vault and doubles as a baptistery and vestry.

The aisles are ceiled by quadrant vaults. At the W end of the N aisle is a simple tea point. At the E end are 3 steps leading to a door, concealed behind a curtain, which accesses a space to the N side of the chancel (former organ chamber). The S aisle has the organ in the W bay, and a Lady Chapel altar in the E bay. Ribs rest on carved stone corbels.

At the E end, 2 steps (with inserted handrails) lead up to the chancel beneath a high round moulded chancel arch. The chancel area is simple since furniture has been moved out and the area has been carpeted. A 2-bay opening to the N side, with a central round pier, is screened at the lower level by a curtain beneath a wood rail. This area was once occupied by the organ and is now used for storage.

The curtain continues around to the E wall where it forms a backdrop to the high altar which is raised on another step. The roof is formed differently to the nave, with intersecting ribs, and is painted dark blue with gold text and stars. The walls of the chancel have exposed stone around the base.  A small round-arched door in the S wall leads to the former vestries.