Building record 0582500000 - ST JOHN BAPTIST'S CHURCH

Dimensions - Length 27m, Width 7m.
Consists of square W tower, nave, chancel. Chancel rebuilt 1396-1401 & destroyed in Civil War. (List of Vicars 1508-1775) (B1-2).
History & description of church (B3).
Parish church of St John the Baptist, in the village, is built of stone rubble with dressings of clunch and stone; the tower is of large squared stones in courses. The roofs are covered with lead, except that of the chancel, which is tiled. The present nave was built c1330. The chancel was rebuilt between 1396 and 1401. The west tower was added and the walls of the nave were heightened late in the 15th century. The church was restored in 1880-81. Among the fittings is a rare example of a 15th-century chrismatory, and a carved alabaster panel, also of the 15th century, is interesting; W tower of 3 stages C15, repaired 1983. All much restored 1880-1. Late C15 nave windows (Further detail)(B4-5).
At NGR (B7).
Grade II+. Parish church. Nave and chancel C14, altered C15, W. tower C15 with 1983 repairs, all much restored 1880-81. Coursed rubble limestone, larger semi-dressed blocks to tower. Lead roof to nave, tiled chancel. W. tower of 3 stages with diagonal buttresses, moulded plinth, battlemented parapet and 2-light openings to bell-chamber. W. side has moulded doorway with 4-centred arch and 2-light traceried window above. Nave has late C15 windows, 3-light in E. bay, 2-light in W. bay. S. side has additional 2-light Decorated window to right of centre. N. and S. doors have 2-centred arches and hoodmoulds with worn carved head stops. Chancel has one bay of 2-light Decorated windows, small cusped lancet to S., and door to N. E. window is 3-light Decorated. Interior: double hollow-chamfered arch to tower. Nave has double-sided piscina with ogee arches in reveal of S.E. window, and roof with moulded tie beam inscribed RSBF 161(9?)5 IF. Double chamfered chancel arch, the inner order on semi-octagonal piers with moulded caps. Chancel has cinquefoil piscina and roof with C15 moulded wall-plates and tie beam. Fittings: C15 pewter chrismatory; C15 carved alabaster panel of Crucifixion; altar table dated Annis Hopper 1625, with turned baluster legs; C17 chair; panelled door to cupboard in N. wall dated RS 1735 GS. Late C19 glass; other fittings late C19. RCHM p. 118-9 (B6).
An excavation and watching brief carried out in September and October 2010 during the development of a new toilet and associated services did not encounter any articulated human burials, and recovered only two fragments of disarticulated human bone. A limestone surface was excavated and is probably post-medieval in date (B8).