Reverend Steward

John K Steward was the vicar of St John the Evangelist from 1939 - 1958

1944 Doug Tilbury recalls the Church Choir. click 1944 WW2 - The Church Choir for the full article

When I joined the church choir, aged 10, it consisted mainly of men and boys.  

Choir leader was Reverend Steward.

Basses sat in the back pew on the right. Boys in front of them.   Ladies sat in the back left pew.

but Revd. Steward preferred a choir of men and boys.   During war time, a few ladies were permitted.

1953 The Church Choir. by Rosemary Mortham click 1953 The Church Choir for the full article

My brother Andy Oliver, joined the church choir about 1953.   At that time the choir was entirely made up of men and boys, led by Reverend Steward.  He was very musical and trained the choir himself.   The organist was Harold Williams.   Sadly Harold in later life suffered from epilepsy, and would occasionally have a fit while playing the organ.   To this day the organ has the switch to one side, so that the electricity could be turned off if he fell across the keyboard.

Research Note. A church choir of male singers was not really suitable and the choir fizzled out. It was brought back by Julia Beaumont and Madeline Cleaver for the 150th celebrations of the church in 1975