About Us
You'll find a warm welcome at St John the Baptist Shenstone. We are a friendly Church of England church at the heart of the community, catering for people of all ages. We enjoy strong partnerships with many village and community organisations, including Greysbrooke Primary School. St John's church tower stands tall on a hill top which is visible for miles around and there has been a church on this site since Anglo-Saxon times.
The current church interior was refurbished in 2012. Its beautiful stained glass and soaring Victorian Gothic architecture is now enhanced by comfortable, elegant, flexible seating, fusing ancient and modern in a pleasing and practical way.
We aim to ensure that our services include the best of the old and the best of the new, with musical input from both an organ and a music group. Sunday services normally follow a monthly pattern, providing a range of worship styles. Our main service is normally at 10h45. We cater for families with young children through special services, our 'Early Birds' every Sunday at 9.30am, a midweek Rainbow Guides group in term time and our popular 'Open the Book' Assembly Team in local schools.
Christmas Carols by Candlelight, Christmas Eve Crib and Christingle service, Shenstone Village Festival Songs of Praise and Remembrance Sunday bring together the whole community, often enhanced by a special united village choir and orchestra.
We run occasional groups for those wanting to find out more about the Christian faith, including Alpha and Emmaus, as well as other courses open to all for a few weeks at special times of the year. These all help people deepen their understanding and experience of God. Many of our members also belong to small groups who meet regularly in homes and most of these have space for newcomers who wish to try them out.
For weddings, wedding blessings, renewal of marriage vows, baptisms and thanksgiving enquiries, please contact the vicar. Getting married in church is now increasingly popular and much easier than a few years ago. Our one day marriage preparation course (normally held in late February or March) is extremely popular with wedding couples.
We conduct funerals either in St John the Baptist church or at the crematorium; for these, the approach to us is normally made through your funeral director.
St John the Baptist has a fine peal of bells and our bellringers practise on Thursday evenings. The historic ruins of the tower of the earlier (Norman) church can also be seen in our lovely, wooded churchyard. The 18th century church clock, now in the current church tower, has been restored during 2012. St John the Baptist Church, Shenstone enjoys close links with St Peter's Stonnall, with whom we share our vicar, and also with Trnity Methodist Church.
St John the Baptist church also owns St Johns Hall, located on the same site as the church, in a quiet, wooded setting. It is mainly used by community groups. St Johns Hall is available for hire at modest rates, for children's parties, one-off events or new regular activities. For details please contact 01543 480286.