Church Of St John The Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist is a significant priory church located in Stoke by Clare, with origins dating back to 1124. The current structure, built mainly of flint and stone, is primarily from the early 16th century. The church features a tower that is from the 14th century, although its lower section may date to the 15th century. The tower is castellated and has buttresses on both the north and south sides. The nave and aisles are also castellated, with the aisles extending to form chapels on either side of the chancel. The chancel and the eastern end of the nave are topped with crow-stepped gables.

On the south side, there is a chapel with walls from the 13th century, while a 15th-century vestry on the north side includes moulded ceiling beams and a priest's chamber above. Inside, the church boasts a remarkable octagonal pulpit from around 1500, featuring a traceried valence. Funding for the pulpit was provided in 1498, and it is believed to have been a gift from Matthew Parker, the last Dean of the College of St John Baptist de Stoke and later Archbishop of Canterbury under Elizabeth I. The chancel contains 15th-century pews with traceried fronts and poppyhead bench ends. Additionally, there is a brass memorial for Edward Talcarne (1597) and his wife (1605).