The short and stocky west tower dates from at least 1536 and is Stoke-on-Trent's oldest structure still in service. 

The original roof was thatched after a serious fire, the nave was rebuilt in brick and tile in 1717.

"The church, dedicated to St. John, is a large modern brick edifice, with an ancient stone tower; the benefice is a rectory, in the patronage of William Adams, Esq. of Cobridge, and the incumbency of the Rev. Edward Whieldon, whose curates are the Rev. Samuel Jones and the Rev. John Buxton Marsden." 

Pigot & Co's 1828/9 Directory of Staffordshire

"Burslem was formerly a chaperly in the parish of Stoke, but was constituted a separate parish by act of parliament in 1807. The old church is a brick erection, with a stone tower of greater antiquity than the body; the living is a rectory."

Pigot & Co's 1841 Directory of Staffordshire

"Parish of Burslem - Burslem was formed into a separate parish from that of Stoke (which formerly comprised nearly the whole district) by an Act of Parliament passed in 1807. The parish thus formed embraces the township of Burslem, the hamlet of Sneyd, and the ville of Rushton. It is divided into four ecclesiastical districts - St. John the Baptist; St. Paul, Longport; Christ Church, Cobridge; and Holy Trinity, Sneyd. 

The Parish Church of St. John is a somewhat imposing structure of brick, consisting of a chancel, nave, aisles, and massive embattled western town, in the perpendicular style, containing six bells cast in 1827. The tower is of an ancient date, but the rest of the edifice was completely rebuilt in 1717, and lengthened and new roofed in 1788. In 1878, again, the Church underwent a substantial and thorough restoration at a cost of £2,000. A new organ was also substituted for one built in 1792. The chancel contains a beautiful stained glass window, presented by Henry Parker, Esq., of Burslem."

A descriptive account of The Potteries (illustrated)
1893 advertising and trade journal