Church Of St John Baptist

The Church of St John Baptist is a parish church dating to 1795, but incorporating materials from the 14th century, with a restoration in 1885. It is constructed of squared coursed limestone rubble with limestone ashlar and sandstone ashlar dressings, and has slate roofs with raised stone coped gables, kneelers, and lead dressings. The church consists of a western tower, a nave, and a chancel. The two-storey tower has a plinth, a first-floor band, and projecting eaves. The western double doors are set within a sandstone architrave and cornice, with wrought iron boot scrapers on either side. Above the doors is a plain rectangular tablet and a circular, louvred light to the bell chamber. The nave’s side walls feature pairs of large, semi-circular headed windows with 12 panes divided by wooden glazing bars. The east window of the chancel is similar and contains a leaded and stained glass window from 1885.

Inside, a tower vestibule leads to the nave via double panelled doors with their original fastenings. The double chamfered chancel arch incorporates reused 14th century engaged octagonal responds; the 14th century floriate capitals were recut in 1795. Painted commandment panels are located on either side of the arch. A likely repositioned cusped piscina is within the chancel’s south wall, with the elaborately cusped and pierced arches of a 14th century sedilia to the right, also repositioned. The moulded reveals of the sedilia opening are likely original. Both the nave and chancel have plaster cornices. The altar has fluted legs and an early 20th century painted frontal. A 18th century panel fronted gallery is located at the west end, supported on square Doric columns. Matching pews and a pulpit were altered in the 19th century when their doors were removed. The large 14th century octagonal font bowl has ball flowers on the underside. The stem is missing, and the font rests on its base. A 17th century chair with carved back and arms is in the sanctuary. An alabaster memorial in the classical taste, dated 1619, is set within the north wall, dedicated to members of the Sandon family of Reasby Hall. It depicts three kneeling figures within arcades, above an achievement of arms, and below a rectangular inscribed panel. All vertical members are decorated with guilloche, and a decorative panel at the bottom features a memento mori, including a bone, scythe, and spade.