Our Story St John's is on the site of the original Parish Church of Tipton, or Tibbington, as it was known in those far off days . St John's itself had a different name then, it was dedicated to St Martin of Tours. The tower is the only part of the original church to survive, may well have Saxon foundations, but certainly dates from Norman times. The earliest written reference to the church occurs
in 1288. The Sundial on the tower has the date 1683. By the eighteenth century the heart of the village had moved away from the old church and a new St Martin's was built in 1797 in Lower Church Lane, known locally as the "Pepper Pot". That church is now a private residence, as featured on the T.V.programme "Grand Designs". The original church lay derelict for a number of years but, as the local population grew, a new nave was built and it was re-dedicated in honour of St John the Evangelist in 1854. The Nave was designed by Wyatt & Brandon.The church closed again 1913 to 1921 because of mining damage pulling the Nave. St.Joseph's Church in Newhall Street was used during the closure.St John's is still very much at the heart of the local community and is much loved as a venue for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. Mass is offered day by day and a dedicated and welcoming parish community shares in the Sunday Solemn Mass. St John's is firmly within the Catholic tradition of the Church of England and is under the pastoral care of the Bishop of Ebbsfleet. Why not come and join us, please check our notices on our page, A Chrch Near You website or our notice boards at church. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
