Parish Church of St John blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: The Parish Church of St John The first Church of St.John was built on this site in 1821 as a Chapel of Ease to Bispham. It became a Parish Church in 1860 Its third curate was the Rev. William Thornber (1829-45) Blackpool's first historian. His grave, and that of William H. Cocker another Blackpool pioneer and its first Mayor, remain to the east of the present church completed in 1878. The original vicarage, completed in 1829, stood across the street on a site behind the Empress Buildings. Recorded plaque organisation: Blackpool Civic Trust.

The Parish Church of St John, established as a Chapel of Ease in 1821 and becoming a Parish Church in 1860, is significant for its historical role in the community of Bispham and its association with Blackpool's early historian, Rev. William Thornber, and pioneer Mayor, William H. Cocker.