Church Of St John The Baptist

KINGSTON LISLE SU38NW 6/88 Church of St. John the Baptist 21/11/66 (Formerly listed as Church of St. John)

GV II*

Parish church. Chancel c.1200, early C19 vestry; nave c.1200; bell turret and porch c.1883. Rendered walls, except chalk and sarsen coursed rubble to vestry, limestone dressings, slate roof. East window with reticulated tracery; 2-bay chancel with one-and 2-light early C14 windows with reticulated tracery and one - light lancets of c.1200. Early C19 vestry with double flue chimney stack to north has plank door with shouldered arch and 3-light windows with cinquefoiled heads and label mould over. Nave has one lancet of c.1200 and two 2-light early C19 windows with segmental heads to south wall: north wall has one 2- light and one 3-light mid C17 stone-mullioned window; late C19 timber porch on stone base; north door c.1200 has dog tooth ornament to semi-circular arch, engaged columns to jambs, and studded door with decorative iron hinges of c.1200. At west end is timber bell-turret with spirelet, c.1883. Interior: chancel has some C14 stained glass in south window. C14 wall paintings around east and north windows depict figures of St. Peter and St. Paul on a ground diapered with sexfoil flowers, large figures of the saints; Herod's Feast with Salome dancing,decollation of the Baptist below, the Baptist's head on head of Christ with a cruciform nimbus and Herod with Salome bearing a charger; mid C17 panelling behind altar, mid C17 balustraded altar rail, mid C17 two-bay roof with moulded bridging beam and rafters. Mid C17 chancel screen. Nave: mid C17 pulpit has carved tester with richly panelled support, and each face bearing carved escutcheon; plain font of c.1200; late C19 benches have C15 bench ends with traceried heads and arms, instruments of the passion etc. 4-bay, mainly C17, roof with carved king post. [Buildings of England, Berkshire, p.161.1 ]

Listing NGR: SU3261887622