Towards the end of the seventies and the beginning of the eighties two major projects were completed. The first was the provision of a new Vicarage as the old one was in a poor state of disrepair. The new building is of stone tastefully laid out and stands at the East end of what was the old Vicarage lawns. A portion of this area was sold to raise funds and a private bungalow occupies part of the same area. The old building has been standing since 1848 and was in need of internal renovation.
Once the new Vicarage was complete then consideration was given to the fate of the old building. It is a fairly imposing building in Elizabethan style and it would have been a waste to have pulled it down. It was decided that planning permission would be obtained to convert the building into a Parish Hall by renovating the existing part to provide rooms and a caretaker's flat above and extend the building with a hall on the West end.
Permission and plans were provided and work commenced in mid-1980. The problem was not the building but raising the funds to cover the cost of some £45,000. When the Hall was started some £15,000 had been raised but due to increasing costs of labour, materials etc, some £30,000 is still needed at the time of writing.
During March 1980 a donation of £3,500 was made by 95 year old Joseph Varley Roberts who lives in Essex. He had seen a leaflet calling on the residents of Farsley "leave your family name in the history of Farsley". Many schemes have been launched such as "Buy a Brick" or "Buy a Slate" etc. Mr. Roberts' family have had a longstanding connection with the Church. His father, James Varley Roberts, was nine years old when the Church was consecrated in 1843 and was actually in the gallery when it collapsed. The donation was made in memory of his sister Edith Annie.
This is just one of the many donations that have been made and by buying this booklet you have also contributed to the provision of the Church Hall.
The Church and the New Parish Hall
In 1977 the Parochial Church Council considered the alteration to the Old Vicarage with the addition of a new Church Hall being built on the West end of the Vicarage. July 8th 1981 saw the dedication of the new building with a special service led by the Bishop of Bradford. It is interesting to note that July 8th connects with the laying of the foundation stone of the Church in 1842. The new hall was decorated with flower displays by the Mothers Union in addition there was also a display of photographs, postcards, maps etc. of the Church and "Old Farsley". Farsley Cricket Club kindly put on a show of their trophies in one of the side rooms. The displays were open to viewing until July 18th as local schools were invited to "take-a-look" at past and present.
The two weeks in which various events took place commenced with prayer in the Church on the first Saturday ending at evensong on the following Sunday. On Monday evening the Mothers Union met for an admission service. Tuesday was used for the setting-up of the Hall ready for the opening on Wednesday. After the service on Wednesday evening the choir led the congregation along the South side of the Church with everyone congregating in the car park.
Two date stones were unveiled one on the Old Vicarage dated 1848 by Mr. Charles A. Barker and one on the New Hall for 1980 by Miss Helen Simpson. After the Right Rev. Geoffrey J. Paul gave the dedication prayer everyone moved inside being served with the usual "tea and biscuits" again amiably served by the Mothers Union.
Thursday was marked with a Women's Rally held in the church and in the evening a concert was given by Springbank Junior School in the New Hall. On Friday an evening of "Slides and Singing" was held. When the slide show was over St. John's Singers delighted the audience with various renditions. This was the first "public appearance" of the Singers. They were formed in February 1981 of members of the choir and others who enjoy singing. The first week was "rounded-off" by a dance and barbecue held on the Saturday evening.
One hopes that by providing the Parish Hall, the prolonged efforts of those church members who have spent many hours raising funds to make it all worthwhile will be well rewarded in the future. At the time of writing quite an amount of money is still needed to clear the overall cost. The addition of the New Parish Hall will no doubt be the last major project for many years to come although maintenance of the Church and its buildings is a "continual project" which constantly needs funding. It currently costs some £200 per week to fund the Church in all its needs. I hope that the purchase of this booklet has provided interesting reading about St. John's and will help the church in its future connection with the people of Farsley.
