Parish Church Of St John The Baptist

The parish church of St John the Baptist dates in part to the early to mid 12th century, with a north aisle added around 1180. The chancel was rebuilt in the mid 13th century, and the south arcade and aisle were subsequently rebuilt. A substantial restoration occurred between 1848 and 1849. During this period, the north and south aisles were rebuilt, the west tower was demolished and replaced with a vestry, organ chamber, a south porch, and a timber bellcote. The architects involved were Protheroe Pevsner and Teulon. The church is constructed of limestone rubble with Barnack stone dressings, and the roofs are covered in Collyweston stone slates.

The south elevation of the south aisle has a gabled roof and two two-light windows. The south porch features a two-centred outer arch composed of two continuous chamfered orders. The chancel has three two-light windows, dating to around 1330, each with trefoiled ogee lights set within a two-centred head, a moulded label, and mask stops. Below the western window, a blocked “low-side” window with a square head is visible. A 13th-century doorway has a two-centred arch and moulded imposts.

Inside the nave, the north arcade consists of two wide bays from around 1180, featuring round arches with two plain orders and a chamfered label. The round column has a scalloped cruciform capital with a moulded abacus, and a moulded base. The south arcade comprises three partly restored bays with two-centred arches of two chamfered orders, octagonal columns with moulded capitals and bases. A partly restored 12th-century doorway is situated in the west wall, incorporating jambs and a round-arched head of three orders, the inner order plain with a shouldered head and a modern lintel with a tympanum enriched with regular ornament. Two round and roll-moulded orders are present, with an outer band of billet ornament. Detached shafts flank the jambs, topped with cushion capitals and modern bases. The chancel arch is round, with two square orders; the inner order has a soffit roll, and the responds each have a half-round shaft with scalloped capitals and grooved, chamfered abaci continuing along the wall.

A 12th-century octagonal font bowl sits upon a 13th-century round stem with eight shafts, each with moulded capitals and bases, and a chamfered plinth. A fragment of a stone effigy of a priest is located in the chancel, along with 12th and 13th-century carved stones. A sketch in the vestry depicts the church with its former tower, preceding the 1848 restoration.