Church Of St John

NY 75 NE PLENMELLER WITH WHITFIELD WHITFIELD, ST. JOHNS

8/209 Church of St. John

24.11.67 II GV

Former parish church c.1790, reduced in size 1859, refenestrated late Cl9. Squared stone, rubble on north; tooled and margined quoins, stone dressings. Grey slate roof. Single-bay nave and slightly narrower single-bay chancel. West end has hinged doors in re-set late C18 pointed arch with tooled stone surround, flanked by stubs of former nave. Bellcote with pointed-arched opening on gable. South wall of nave has 3-light window with simple panel tracery under 4-centred arch with hoodmould; similar 2-light window on south side of chancel. East end has 3-light window in C14 style. North wall completely plain.

Interior: late C18 pointed chancel arch of plain square section with impost blocks. Chancel has Cl9 boarded ceiling with pierced and cusped arch braces springing from wall shafts. Panelled dado in nave. Late C18 baluster font. On north side of sanctuary lower part of elaborate coped C12 grave cover with lombardic inscription on ridge flanked by overlapping tiers of acanthus leaves cut in high relief. 4 early Cl9 wall tablets.

The church of c.1790, which replaced a medieval building, originally had a 4-bay nave and a west tower. The stone of the demolished section was re-used in Holy Trinity Church (q.v.).

Listing NGR: NY7781858410