A church full of history

Begun in 1834 and consecrated in 1836, St Johns is a Grade II listed building on Thomas Lane and is situated in the heart of the Knotty Ash conservation area.

With a wealth of history to explore and many unique and beautiful features we’re well worth a visit.

Did you know?

  • Along with others, Marcus Bland, said to have served as a Major in the Crimean War, lies in a vault beneath the church. His coffin measures 8 foot six inches.

  • The eighteen carved panels in the choir stalls were the gift of Miss Thompson of Thingwall Hall. They are the work of the ladies of the congregation and members of the carving classes which Miss Thompson held.

  • The building costs of the church were £3,150

  • The five small faces of stone at the springing of the arches between the Chancel and Lady Chapel and the Chancel and  Organ Chamber were chiselled by craftsmen as likenesses of the vicar's wife and his four children.

  • In December 1949 all the choirboys were sacked! They could only return once they had passed a proficiency test. From that time, ladies were allowed to join the choir.

  • Miss Thompson of Thingwall Hall was instrumental in providing the church with many gifts - the Chancel, Lady Chapel, classrooms for both schools, the Village Hall and Bowling green. A stone plaque in her memory is situated on the ground as you enter Knotty Ash Community Centre, East Prescot Road.

  • The bell hung in the tower of St Peter's Church until 1830. After having a new peal installed, the fourth bell was given to St John's where it still hangs today. It bears the inscription 'God save the Church and Queen.. 1707 ( the Queen being Queen Anne). It measures 38 inches in height and weighs seven hundredweight.

  • Miss Molyneux of Staplands House gifted the oak carving of the Royal Arms which can be seen above the West (belfry) door, above the "singers' pew". It is because of this that St John's Choir is allowed to wear scarlet robes.

  • On the North wall is a window designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. The stained glass was made by Messrs. Morris.

  • Underneath the church there is a series of bricked arches which extend all the way along the length of the Nave. Several notable people, including Mr & Mrs Dugdale two of the church's founders, do actually rest in one of these vaults.

(Information from Knotty Ash ( Radley, Gordon (1972)) published in collaboration with the 1971 /2 Parochial Church Council of St John the Evangelist Church, Knotty Ash)

The Building of St Johns

The foundation stone of the church was laid on June 26th 1834 by Adam Dugdale. 

More about Adam Dugdale

Adam Dugdale


Born on 6th January 1771, Adam Dugdale was a Liverpool Cotton Broker. He had warehouses in Piccadilly and Moseley Street, Manchester.

His main residence was 'Dovecot House' in Knotty Ash, Liverpool - then a pleasant mansion standing in parkland at the corner of Pilch Lane and Prescot Road.



A brass plate with the following inscription was laid in the plinth stone of St John the Evangelist.

"On the 26th day of June Anno Domini, 1834, this Foundation Stone was laid by Adam Dugdale Esq. of Dovecot House, on land given by him for the erection of this church for the service of the Church of England; it is dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, and was built by donations and subscriptions."

Adam Dugdale died on 8th April 1838 and is buried in a vault under St John's - this can be seen during organised crypt tours.

The church was designed by Williams & Edwards and built by Richard & Paul Barker of Huyton - who also constructed many other local buildings including Old Swan Police Station and West Derby Church (both completed in 1850).

The consecration of the Church took place on Thursday, February 18th, 1836.

In the early 1840's side galleries were added as there were not enough 'free' pews for the poor of the parish.

The clock in the tower was purchased from James Conliffe of Liverpool.

In 1890 the Church was extended and the new chancel, organ chamber and Lady Chapel (designed by Aldridge & Deacon) were erected. At the same time a new organ was purchased and the side galleries removed.

The new chancel was consecrated on Saturday, April 26th, 1890 by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese.

In 1967 the organ was completely rebuilt.

Explore St Johns

In 2017, a number of old glass plate photographs were found in the vestry of the Church. These have been digitised and may be viewed here