Welcome to Scissors Paper Stone.

This community history project explores the orgins of St John's Church in Ranmoor: the people who built it, the community which founded it and the people it served.

When it was first built, the northern city of Sheffield was flourishing. Steel works and mines were the chief source of employment for men. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the wealthy industrialists and businessmen began to seek escape from the pollution their industries created. The mansions they built can still be seen on the on the wooded slopes of Sheffield’s western hills.

In 1879, when our church was being built, Ranmoor and the surrounding settlements, had become a vast building site, the roads rough and access far from easy. St John’s was just one of many mighty building projects in the area but is now one of the most prominent, its spire visible from miles around.

In 2029 we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the building of our first church. almost totally destroyed by fire in January 1888. The tower and spire alone survived. Only twenty months later the church you see today was completed.
Read our About page to find out how our project is shaping.

Visit our Blog to explore what we have learned and to contribute yourselves.
Click on Research to read lengthier pieces.
Click on People for the stories of individuals important in our history.

Contact the coordinator, Mary Grover, if you wish to know more.'She and the rest of the community history team look forward to seeing you at any of the exhibitions, talks, concerts and talks we have listed under Events. [email protected] are a variety of events over 2024.