Church Of St John The Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist is a parish church with origins in the 11th century, significantly altered in the 15th, 1805, and substantially rebuilt in 1874 by James Fowler of Louth. It is constructed of coursed ironstone rubble with ashlar dressings and has slate roofs. The building comprises a western tower, a nave, a chancel, a south porch, and a vestry.

The three-stage tower is built of weathered ironstone in irregularly-shaped blocks. The lower two stages are of Anglo-Saxon design with a plinth, a square string course, and alternating quoins largely obscured by later buttresses. The top stage is from the 15th century and features a plain parapet with 19th-century pinnacles in a Decorated style. A small, internally splayed light is visible on the south face, partially concealed by a later buttress. The west doorway is Anglo-Saxon, featuring square jambs, plain chamfered imposts, and a semi-circular arch with a deeply weathered hood mould displaying traces of incised ornament. A 20th-century circular light pierces the tympanum, along with a corresponding carving. The 20th-century glazed door and a small round headed internally splayed window are also present. The top stage contains a large clock with Roman numerals. The north face of the tower is blank. The four belfry lights, one on each face, are 15th-century 2-light openings with cusped heads.

The remainder of the church, largely dating from the 1874 rebuilding following an earlier rebuilding in 1805, is in an Early English style. It features four 2-light north windows, a 3-light east window, and five 2-light south windows. A stepped chimney stack with a circular, chamfered moulded top is located on the north side.

Inside, the Anglo-Saxon tower arch is tall and round-headed with square jambs, arch, and chamfered imposts. One half of the arch has a deep roll moulding, while the other is plain. All furnishings date from the 1874 restoration. The chancel roof is decorated with stencilled fleur de lys between the rafters. Stained glass from 1874 to 1900 is found in the nave and chancel. The chancel floor is laid with Minton tiles. A stone reredos and altar sculpture depicting the Last Supper includes the Ten Commandments and Creed. A Royal Coat of Arms is located at the west end.