S. JOHN`S PARISH and CHURCH

S. John the Baptist Timberhill, Norwich, is one of the many medieval churches in the centre of the city. It is now the largest of the city parishes. The parish contains five medieval churches of which only two are in use for worship by the Church of England. Of the other buildings, S. Peter Parmentergate on King Street, still in the 'red-light' district of the city, has been a drop in centre for prostitutes, but is now a martial arts centre for the city; S. Etheldreda`s, also on King Street, is now used as a workshop for the arts; All Saints opposite John Lewis store is run as a drop-in centre for all who might need it, where nourishing and cheap refreshments, companionship, warmth in winter and a listening ear are available; S. John the Baptist de Sepulchre, at the end of Ber Street, with a magnificent tower that is seen from the railway and the river as you enter Norwich, had been used until quite recently by the Russian Orthodox community, but is now seeking a new use; and the church of S. Julian, Bishop of le Mans, between King Street and Rouen Road, houses the shrine of the Lady Julian of Norwich, and is a chapel of ease to the parish Church and is the other Anglican church building still very much in use. A sixth church S. Michael at Thorn was bombed to the ground in 1942 during the war.

The parish contains a large part of the city centre of Norwich, including much of the city's first shopping precinct (Castle Mall) and the large John Lewis department store previously called Bonds. Our boundaries stretch from Bracondale to Prince of Wales Road and within can be found the Norwich City football ground at Carrow Road, the railway station and river boat station, the riverside development of shops, houses, restaurants, clubs and leisure facilities, the largest night-club in Europe called appropriately 'Mercy'! and a huge amount of new housing development, as well as the 'red-light' district of the city.

S. John`s and S. Julian`s churches have always been strong in supporting the Catholic movement in the Church of England. For the parish, the appropriate resolutions have been passed to preclude the ministry of women priests for the parish. But considering the world-wide importance of The Lady Julian, any minister of any denomination, with his or her group, is welcome to celebrate their own Christian services for their people in S. Julian`s church. S. John's has recently completed the restoration of its fine organ, and the Church has been equipped with one of the best and most imaginative lighting systems in Norfolk, and the complete re-roofing of the church is fast coming to its completion

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S. JOHN`S PARISH and CHURCH