St. John's Mill
St. John’s Mill is a Manx Registered Charity established as a Millennium (2000) Project. Following the total restoration of the historic 18th century derelict Mill at St. John’s, His Excellency Governor Macfadyen opened the centre on the 5th April 2003.
The Mill operates in partnership with other organisations to fulfil its charitable objectives. In the years since opening it has been a catalyst for a series of projects that have served the local community. Each of these initiatives is founded upon the 4 core values adopted by the team of staff and volunteers who manage the facilities. These are ‘Hospitality’, ‘Operational excellence’, ‘Prayer’, and ‘Encouragement’, which provide an acrostic spelling HOPE.
The Mill is ecumenical and open to the community for training, meetings, lectures and a whole range of other activities coordinated by the organisations that now use the mill. In this way St John's Mill fulfils its objectives to act as a catalyst for new initiatives in the community.
The Mill is not intended to be exclusively for Churches and Christians - it is open to be used by the broader Island community.
Location
Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Mill has an award-winning wild flower garden, as well as all the nearby facilities of the Mill centre, including an art gallery, boutique shops, cafes, the Isle of Man’s historic Tynwald site and the National Park and Arboretum.
How is St. John’s Mill financed?
The cost of purchasing St. John's Mill and surrounding land, restoring the buildings and providing equipment has been financed by donations and grants both large and small from Charities, Trusts, Businesses, Departments of Government and individuals. We are grateful to all who have helped and give thanks to God that the cost of this first phase of the project has now been met in full.
The aim of the charity is that it should be self-funding as it grows and increases its number of 'friends'. However, it will need to raise in excess of £1,000 per week to operate and maintain the facilities and have them available for use on a daily basis.
St. John's Mill has a growing list of projects each of which needs prayer, people to help, and financial resources to move forward.
The future of St. John’s Mill
- In partnership with the Manx Wildlife Trust we hope to continue the development of the wildflower garden and water meadow on the adjoining 'tenterfield' site to provide an environmental classroom which is accessible to people with disability and which can be used in conjunction with the workshop and formal teaching facilities of St. John's Mill. This is now also registered as a “Quiet Garden” http://www.quietgarden.co.uk/
- We provide a contemporary Theological library in the quiet room to encourage personal study and devotion at every level from ordained clergy doing research to someone who just wants to 'find out more'.
- In conjunction with Primrose Trust, a Manx Registered Charity, to enhance the facilities within St. John's Mill for those with disability and to seek to develop a small accommodation unit, 'The Primrose Lodge' to the north of the river to provide specialist holiday accommodation for people with disability either visiting or already living on the Island.
- Mr. Stan Kewley is working with the Registered Buildings Conservation Department of D.L.G.E, Manx National Heritage, Eric Wilkins Chief Engineer for the UK National Trust at Quarry Bank Mill Styal, local enthusiasts and businesses to put in place a programme to restore the Water wheel and hammers and use them to demonstrate the principles of waterpower, alternative technologies and sustainability.
- Secure further resources to develop our internal training programmes in order to ensure that both staff and volunteers benefit from the principles which we are trying to demonstrate as an organisation. One of our core objectives is to develop a culture of continuous learning and to create an environment that encourages individual growth.
- Continue to work with the Manx Prayer Net to communicate, train, encourage and inspire the Christian Community to become more prayerful. The net is an ecumenical work linking people of faith across denominations to co-ordinate prayer on both local and international issues.
