Catholic Church Of St Mary And St John

The Catholic Church of St Mary and St John was built between 1851 and 1855, with an enlargement to the east end occurring between 1879 and 1880. Designed by Charles Hansom, it is constructed of ashlar with a slate roof and is an example of the Decorated style.

The church features an apsidal chancel, flanked by chapels and a sacristy to the south. The three-bay chancel has paired gabled windows in the chapels, with variations in the number of lights depending on their position. The north chapel has three-light windows to the east and north, while the outer chapel to the north has a single three-light window. A similar chapel to the south is partially obscured by the sacristy, which has gabled, straight-headed windows to the east. The transepts have small gabled projections with lights under four-light windows, and the west front has a two-light window and a northwest entrance. The five-bay nave has gabled buttresses and paired two-light windows to the clerestory. The aisles also feature gabled buttresses and three-light windows, with a pointed entrance on the south side, flanked by large buttresses; one buttress shows signs of a projected tower. The west facade has a two-tiered entrance with a Crucifixion within the tympanum above enriched doors; a six-light window is above, flanked by gabled buttresses, and the gable is topped with a Crucifix and figures of St Mary and St John.

Inside, the chancel has a three-bay arcade with rich foliate capitals, traceried parclose screens, and a vaulted roof supported by wall shafts. The east end is decorated with stencilled patterns and a rich cornice, and the chancel arch has a hood mould with carved headstops. The inner chapels have pointed tunnel vaults cut through for arcades and feature double-chamfered arches to the transepts. The nave has a five-bay arcade and higher arches to the transepts, showcasing quatrefoil piers and rich foliate capitals. The roof is braced with boarded panels, supported by corbelled shafts and stencilling. A west organ gallery is present with two traceried organ cases and an overthrow. Notable fittings include a High Altar and reredos adorned with niches, angels, and statues in pinnacled niches. The tabernacle features a throne with a pinnacle, and the altar rail is constructed of traceried alabaster panels. The stone pulpit has traceried panels and relief angels. The outer north chapel has a rich, panelled octagonal font with a smaller bowl to the side. The windows contain good stained glass, likely by Hardman, and the north aisle has a memorial to B. Clark (died 1916), accompanied by a statue on a plinth, which is a copy of the famous seated statue of St Peter at St Peter's, Rome.

The church is a notable example of a mid-19th century Catholic church, characterized by its rich interior fittings and the excellent naturalistic carving of corbels and capitals.