Church Of St John The Baptist

ILKETSHALL ST. JOHN TM 38 NE 2/17 Church of St. John the Baptist 1.9.53 - II* Parish church. C13 and later, restored in 1860. In random flints with stone dressings, but stone quoins only to the tower; slate roofs. Continuous nave and chancel; south porch and west tower; there is evidence for considerable medieval alteration to the fabric: the chancel was extended, and the roofs appear to have been raised. 4 2-light windows with flowing tracery to the south side of nave and chancel, restored, but not completed replaced. Above the arch of the south-west window are 2 blocks of reused stone with Norman chevron ornament; these may come from the blocked north doorway. 3 lancets on north side, 2 C19 insertions, but that in the chancel C13. 3-light east window with C19 memorial glass; the stonework given by King Edward VII while Prince of Wales. The small unbuttressed C15 west tower has a crenellated and stepped parapet with flushwork. South doorway with ogee-moulded continuous arch below a hood mould. Victorianised interior. Plastered roofs, with moulded timber cornice to nave, and in the chancel with applied wooden ribs. There is no chancel arch, but the junction of nave and chancel is marked by an unusual carved timber decoration in the ceiling with droplets, and a wheel at each end, one with mouchettes, the other with daggers. C15 octagonal font: alternating Tudor roses and blank shields around the bowl, supported by 4 seated lions round the stem. In the south pier of the tower arch, a long recess for a banner stave locker. By the south door, one Jacobean bench with Ionic poppyheads to ends. Royal Arms of William IV on the north wall.

Listing NGR: TM3601887563