Church of St John the Evangelist

The Church of St John the Evangelist is a Chapel of Ease built between 1848 and 1851 by architect R.C. Hussey. It is constructed from sandstone ashlar and features blue machine tile roofs with verge parapets. The church has a compact layout that includes a nave, chancel, south transept, and a north-west spire, all designed in an early decorated style.

The tower consists of three stages, with angle buttresses and trefoil-headed twin-light windows in the bell chamber, along with a single light window on the first stage. The east side features a pointed north doorway, a broached spire with gargoyles at the angles, and exaggerated central lucarnes at the base of each side, supported by free-standing columns and topped with a cruciform pinnacle.

The nave has four fenestrated bays separated by two-stage buttresses, illuminated by two-light trefoil-headed and quatrefoil labelled windows on the sides, and a five-light geometrical west window that incorporates a 'Y'-tracery pattern with cinquefoils and trefoils in a pointed arch. The transept, which is one bay and lower than the nave, is attached to the south side and features a rose window at the apex, with small lights on the sides. The chancel consists of two bays, lower but similar to the nave, and has a four-light 'Y'-tracery east window with cinquefoils in a pointed, labelled head.

The church was built for the Batemans of Biddulph Grange and is part of a complete early Victorian group that also includes a school and parsonage.