Giving a Historic Church a Framework for the Future

Giving a Historic Church a Framework for the Future

Giving a Historic Church a Framework for the Future
October 30, 2026

Built in 1873 as part of the former Whittingham Asylum, the Grade II listed Church of St John has stood within the Whittingham landscape for more than 150 years.


Designed by Manchester architect Henry Littler, the church remained in use until the hospital closed in 1995. Today, its significance lies not only in its architecture and historic associations, but in the surviving details that tell the story of the building, from stencilled decoration and high-quality timberwork to its distinctive cast-iron columns.


To help inform the church’s future management, TEP’s Historic Environment and Archaeology team was commissioned to prepare a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for Homes England.

The work began with understanding what makes the building significant. An onsite appraisal and condition review were combined with an assessment of its heritage significance, including the contribution made by its setting. This allowed the team to identify important surviving features and consider the issues affecting the building before translating that evidence into practical principles for its ongoing management.

The CMP addresses repairs and maintenance alongside wider considerations including energy efficiency, sustainability, climate change and ecology. A prioritised Action Plan gives Homes England a practical basis for future decision-making and investment, helping to reduce the risk of further deterioration while safeguarding the qualities that make the church significant.


For historic buildings such as St John’s, conservation planning is about more than recording what survives. By understanding a building’s significance, condition and vulnerabilities, a Conservation Management Plan can provide a clear framework for making informed decisions about its future and supporting its long-term stewardship.

Supporting the long-term management of historic places


Our Historic Environment and Archaeology team can provide conservation advice and management planning to help understand significance, manage change and support informed decision-making.


Find out more about our Historic Environment and Archaeology services.

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