Work to save Sheffield's tallest parish church spire with 'Monty Python' link given boost
The spire of St John’s is the tallest parish church spire in Sheffield and is visible from across the city
The landmark Sheffield church where a Monty Python star made his first public performance can make a start of repairs to its crumbling historic spire, after securing £750,000 towards the costs.
Ranmoor Church, where a nine-year-old Michael Palin once read a lesson at a carol concert, has taken a major boost with the announcement that it will get a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the cost of saving the historic spire of St John’s Church and to protect the heritage of St John’s for generations to come.
It takes the total of its repairs fund to £750,000. with a target of £1million.
The spire of St John’s is the tallest parish church spire in Sheffield and is visible from across the city.
St John’s is a Grade II listed church and is currently a category B building on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
Revd Dr Matthew Rhodes, Vicar of St John’s said: “We’re now up to £750,000, which means we can move to the next stage, which is putting it out to tender for the work.”
The total cost of the project is expected to be £1million, and the church is hoping to hear back from more grant applications which it has made in the coming weeks.
Dr Rhodes hopes that work will start on the repairs next year, and it is expected to take 18 months to complete.
He added: "We are delighted to have received support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund which will make it possible to restore the tower and spire of St John’s helping to protect this building for generations to come. Thanks to National Lottery players we are able to share the rich heritage of our church building with the city and wider region."
Among those backing it has been Mr Palin, who told The Star he still remembers the church well, from his childhood in Sheffield
He said: “A spectacularly fine church, where I spent many a Sunday. My father was a bellringer there, and I remember how my knees shook as I read the lesson at a Christmas Carol Concert when I was nine or 10.”
Built in 1881, the spire is the only remaining part of the first St John’s Church which was destroyed by fire eight years after its construction. It is a tangible reminder of the first church, but it has deteriorated in recent years and requires urgent restoration work. Without this funding from the Heritage Fund, the spire could be lost forever.
The Save Our Spire project will protect the built heritage of St John’s Church through an extensive programme of restoration work. Meanwhile, volunteer researchers will uncover the stories of the people who have lived and worked in Ranmoor.
The research will be shared through a programme of talks, exhibitions, workshops and school activities to engage diverse audiences, and new heritage trails and visitor guides will improve access to the church’s history and architecture. The project will culminate in a major community celebration in 2029 marking 150 years of St John’s Church.