St John the Evangelist Church, Woodley

St John the Evangelist, Woodley is a parish church in Woodley, close to Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It is a Church of England church in the Reading Deanery[2] of the Diocese of Oxford.[3]

St John's, Woodley
St John the Evangelist, Woodley
LocationBerkshire
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
Websitewww.stjohnswoodley.com
History
StatusParish church
Founded1873 (1873)
Founder(s)Robert Palmer
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationGrade II*[1]
Designated26 January 1967
Architect(s)Henry Woodyer[1]
Specifications
Bells1
Administration
ParishWoodley, St John the Evangelist
DeaneryReading
ArchdeaconryArchdeaconry of Berkshire
DioceseAnglican Diocese of Oxford
Clergy
Vicar(s)Rev. Edilberto (Eddie) Márquez-Picón
Laity
Churchwarden(s)Lesley Green
Pat Almond
Parish administratorGillian Pullen

The church was built by Robert Palmer in 1873. In 1987 an extension was added to the south-east wall. Adjacent to the church is the St John's Centre, a Grade II listed building[4] which was formerly a Church of England school but is now used as the church hall and office. Across the road from the church is the Rectory, though the present incumbent chooses to live elsewhere in the parish.[5]

Ministers
Name Appointed Position
Rev. Edilberto (Eddie) Marquez 2008 Priest-in-Charge/Vicar
Rev. Jon Honour 2006 Acting Priest-in-Charge
Rev. Ann Douglas 2002 Team Rector
Rev. Fred Woods 1995 Team Rector
Rev. Ian Watson 1989 Vicar/Team Rector
Rev. John Congdon 1983 Vicar
Rev. John Eastgate 1974 Vicar
Rev. H. W. H. Wilkinson 1948 Vicar
Rev. K.F. Way 1945 Vicar
Rev. W. H. Trebble 1940 Vicar
Rev. Cyril Donne 1930 Vicar
Rev. Philip Gray 1925 Vicar
Rev. Frederick F. Penruddock 1913 Vicar
Rev. Ernest Angel Gray 1881 Vicar

Parish of Woodley

Originally part of the Parish of Sonning, Woodley became its own Parish in 1881.[6] In the 1960s St James' Church, Woodley was planted and came under the authority of St John's Church, being led by a curate until 1992.[7]

While Ian Watson was Vicar,[8] St John's Church planted Emmanuel Church, Woodley in 1991 by employing a Church Army couple called Richard & Mandy Priestley.

The following year, 1992, saw the one parish of Woodley become two parishes within a Team Ministry. The Parish of St John the Evangelist contained St John's Church and Emmanuel Church, whilst the new Parish of Southlake contained St James Church with the curate at the time, Rev. Paul Roberts becoming a Team Vicar.[9] The Team Rector based at St John the Evangelist Church led the team of clergy for both parishes.[10]

Woodley Airfield Church was planted jointly by St John's Church and Christ Church in 1993. Airfield Church is ecumenical, having Church of England, Methodist, and URC leadership.

Following the controversial departure[11] of the Rev. Ann Douglas in 2006, the Benefice of Woodley was suspended in order that the future of the Team Ministry could be reviewed. During the interregnum the Rev. Jon Honour, Team Vicar at Emmanuel Church, was appointed Acting Priest-in-Charge of St John's Church, assisted by the then curate, the Rev. Jason Reid. In 2007, the PCCs of St Johns and St James independently voted to dissolve the Team Ministry and establish a Group Ministry in its place. The benefice currently remains suspended pending the completion of the necessary formal arrangements to effect this change.

Interviews were held in October 2007 for a Priest in Charge for St John's Church, and the Rev. Marquez was licensed in March 2008.

All four Anglican Churches in Woodley are part of Churches Together in Woodley.[12]

References
  1. Historic England. "Church of St John the Evangelist  (Grade II*) (1136276)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  2. Reading Deanery
  3. Map of the Diocese of Oxford
  4. Listing Building Entry 41495
  5. A Church Near You, id 369, 'More Info' tab
  6. British History Online
  7. Benefice of Southlake St James Woodley
  8. Linked in, Ian Watson
  9. Church Appointments, The Independent, August 1992
  10. Church Appointments, The Independent, October 1992
  11. 'Ungodly behaviour' and fisticuffs in the quiet parish of Woodley
  12. Church Together in Woodley
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