The Churches Conservation Trust has submitted a listed building application for a package of repair works on an 18th century church in Lancaster city centre.

St John the Evangelist Church on North Road in Lancaster which is Grade II listed, needs urgent external repair works, window repairs and internal plaster works.

An earlier phase of urgent repairs was completed in 2025.

The proposed works are a package of repair works compromising works to masonry, windows, timber and plaster to include installation of dismantling and reconstruction of upper spire, and introduction of localised internal rainwater management to the bell tower.

A drone picture of the upper section of the spire at St John's Church in Lancaster.

placeholder image — A drone picture of the upper section of the spire at St John's Church in Lancaster.

The design and access statement said: “St John the Evangelist Church (St John’s) is a Grade II* listed redundant Anglican church in Lancaster city centre Conservation Area.

"It was built as a chapel-of-ease for Lancaster Priory in the 1754-5 with a tower added in 1784, and retains much original fabric including box pews, galleries and organ casing.

"St John’s was vested to the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) in 1983 but has been vacant and unoccupied since 2015 with only occasional volunteer-led opening.

“St John’s is on the Historic England Heritage At Risk Register (category D) due to its poor and deteriorating state of repair.

“Whilst an earlier phase of works has been completed to complete upper level masonry repairs and re-roofing, further urgent repairs were unable to be funded at that stage.

“A further funding bid has been identified to support a secondary phase of repair work.

“The project’s overarching aim is to carry out a series of urgent repairs and fabric upgrades in order to prevent further deterioration of the historic asset and keep the building structurally sound and water tight.”

Planning documents also said that since the post-war decline in congregation and local industry, and despite occasional use for concerts and similar events, the communal value of St John's has been fairly dormant since formal redundancy in November 1983.

When open, the church attracts a small but interested trickle of visitors, and work by the CCT has expanded on this recently.

A dedicated team of volunteers has been established and completion of this project would allow increased safe access internally.

Councillors have yet to make a decision on the application.

View the listed building application number 26/00421/LB at https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/planning/view-applications-and-decisions