Church Of St John The Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist is a Grade II* listed building located on Church Street in Billesdon. The main body of the church dates from the 13th century, with a 15th-century north aisle and chancel, while the south aisle was rebuilt in 1864. The structure is made of ironstone rubble with ashlar dressing. It features a west tower, a nave with two aisles, and a chancel. The limestone ashlar tower, which is in character with the 13th century but was rebuilt in 1862, consists of three stages topped with a broach spire above a corbel table. The bell chamber has 2-light geometric traceried openings. The tower is buttressed and has a plinth. The north aisle is also buttressed and includes a Victorian porch and a north doorway with a hollow chamfered arch. The aisle windows are designed in a late Decorated style, featuring almost round arched hood moulds. The chancel windows are similar, with the east window being a Victorian restoration in the Decorated style. The east gables of the nave and chancel are coped and topped with cross finials. The Victorian south aisle has Decorated windows and a small south doorway with a hood mould.

Inside, the nave consists of four bays. The west tower arch is triple chamfered with a hood mould and dates from the 13th century. There is a single lancet window in the west wall of the tower. The original arcade to the north features low octagonal piers, except for one which has eight clustered chamfers and stiff leaf and mask decorations in the capital. The other piers and the octagonal responds are adorned with nail head decoration. The arches are double chamfered with corbel heads. The nave roof, constructed in the Victorian era, is of hammerbeam design. The south arcade mirrors the north arcade exactly. The chancel arch is double chamfered and features a Victorian wood screen. The chancel has a steeply pitched 19th-century roof. There are various 19th-century marble wall tablets present. The south chapel vestry was added in 1862. Stained glass in the north aisle and chancel dates from the late 19th to early 20th century. The font is a plain 13th-century design, a squat round basin with a moulded rim, accompanied by a 17th-century ribbed cover with a finial.