Church Of St John

Parish Church. Parts of the church date back to around 1200, originally a small aisled church, possibly with a transept, which was extended westward in the early 13th century. During this period, the tower arch and tower were added. The south aisle was rebuilt and extended in the 15th century, and the clerestory was also built around this time, featuring battlements dated 1616. The tower and spire were reconstructed following a collapse in 1821. The chancel was rebuilt in an Early English style in 1849 and enlarged in 1878. The north aisle was rebuilt and enlarged by W.M. Fawcett. The chancel interior was redecorated between 1879 and 1880 with marble, based on designs by J. Ladds, the diocesan architect. The building is constructed from flint rubble and limestone, rendered with Barnack limestone and clunch dressings. It is roofed with lead, with a plain tile roof over the chancel.

The north elevation features a chancel with paired two-light windows and a gault brick plinth. The north aisle and clerestory comprise three bays, with 19th-century three-light, foiled windows set within four-centred arches, and an embattled parapet. A porch has angle buttresses and incorporates a reused 13th-century two-centred arched doorway with a label and head stops. The tower has an embattled parapet and buttresses of two stages.

Inside, two bays of a c.1200 arcade remain, featuring octagonal piers with carved leaf decoration to the capitals. The tower arch mirrors the detailing of the west bay of the arcade. A restored lancet window is set in the west wall. The nave roof dates from the 19th century and is a king post design, while the south aisle roof originates from the 15th century, with five bays, semi-octagonal shafts, moulded caps to the wall posts, and carved stone corbels. Monuments include 19th-century floor slabs and a black marble slab commemorating Wm Stone, a Doctor in Physick and Fellow of the College of Physicians in London (1679). A black and white marble wall monument is dedicated to Samuel Peach (1832), created by Patent works Westminster. The south aisle windows contain 15th-century glass, with shields and symbols of passion, and the inscription ‘Fragments collected and reset 1874 by WMF’. Two 13th-century coffin fragments are set within the external wall. A clock was purchased by the church wardens in 1746. A late 19th-century font and a marble pulpit also exist within the church.