Church Of St John The Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist is a Grade I listed parish church located in Meldon. It dates back to the early 13th century and was restored in 1849. The church is constructed from roughly-squared stone in large blocks, with slate roofing. It has a single-cell plan and features a 19th-century north vestry. The architectural style is Early English, characterized by set-back angle buttresses, including one unstepped buttress on each long wall.

At the west end, there is a lancet window and a coped gable with a 19th-century bellcote designed in the style of the 13th century. The south wall includes a studded door adorned with 19th-century floral ironwork, set in a pointed chamfered arch with moulded imposts and a hood. There is also a priest's door with similar ironwork under a shouldered chamfered arch, along with five lancets, one of which is a 19th-century copy. The north wall displays three lancets, with the westernmost being from the 19th century. The east end features a triplet of 19th-century lancets beneath a 13th-century pointed arch with a hoodmould.

Inside, there is a 13th-century pillar piscina located on the south side of the sanctuary, and an aumbry with an old wooden door further west. A pointed recess, possibly another piscina, can be found on the north side. The north door, similar to the south door, now leads into the vestry. The chancel boasts a 19th-century painted panelled ceiling with carved bosses.

To the west of the south door, there is an effigy of Sir William Fenwick, who died in 1652, along with 17th-century ledger slabs featuring heraldry built into the walls. An elaborate mural recess in the style of the 14th century on the north side of the sanctuary serves as the tomb of Isaac Cookson, who died in 1851. The sanctuary is adorned with Minton tiles, and several windows contain late 18th-century to early 19th-century glass featuring the arms of local families.