Published 10th October 2026
St John the Evangelist’s Church is a former Anglican church in Crawshawbooth, Rossendale, Lancashire. Built between 1890 and 1892, it was designed by the Lancaster architects Paley, Austin and Paley.
History
The church was built with the support of Thomas Brooks of Crawshaw Hall, whose family owned Sunnyside Print Works and had substantial interests in Crawshawbooth.
Brooks provided the site and contributed £3,000 towards the construction of the church, which was consecrated on 25 October 1892.
Thomas Brooks was created Baron Crawshaw in the same year.
The building
Constructed in stone, the church became a prominent landmark in Crawshawbooth, with its tower and spires visible above the surrounding village.
The building was later closed for worship and has been recorded as being at risk because of its deteriorating condition.
Sources
Rossendale Family History Society — St John the Evangelist, Crawshawbooth
Historic England — National Heritage List for England
Photo — St John the Evangelist’s Church, Crawshawbooth. Photograph © Chris Heaton, 20 April 2022 / Geograph. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped from original.
Image is by kind permission of the Peter Fisher ‘Smugmug’ collection and Keith Knowles.
Form of Service leaflet – Sunday, 10 October 1920 — the unveiling and dedication of the Memorial Cross at St John’s Parish Church, Crawshawbooth. (click image to view larger format).