Church Of St John

The Church of St John is a parish church with Norman origins, significantly altered over several centuries. A south aisle was added around 1200, followed by a north aisle and tower in the late 13th century. The nave and aisle were lengthened in the 14th century, and the chancel dates to the 14th century, largely restored in later periods. The tower's upper stage was rebuilt in 1697, and further restorations occurred in 1855 and 1918.

The church is constructed of rubble stone, with some flint, and parts are rendered. The tower’s upper stage is brick and stone. The roof is of old plain tile. The plan incorporates a 14th-century chancel, a south-west tower with a 1697 top half, a Norman nave with a south aisle from around 1300 and an early 13th-century north aisle which functions more like a chapel. The nave and south aisle were extended in the mid-13th century; a south porch is likely of the same period, while a north vestry is a 19th and 20th-century addition.

The chancel has a 19th-century Decorated three-light east window, a 20th-century square-headed three-light window to the south, and a 19th-century two-light window to the north. The tower has a rubble stone plinth and 14th-century recessed Decorated two-light windows, with a string separating the stages. The upper stage's south side has two tablets dated 1697, and near the top, two lead shutes are fixed to curly iron brackets, with rectangular louvred openings topped by a cornice and crenellation to the parapet. The south aisle has two 19th-century Decorated three-light windows within gabled dormers to the east. A central gabled porch, featuring a pointed continuously moulded door and trefoiled lancet, is positioned to the south, alongside a similar 19th-century window to the west. The north aisle, under a separate roof, has a 19th-century Decorated three-light east window and three north lancets with labels, along with a larger similar west window above the 19th and 20th-century vestry with square-headed windows. A 19th-century Perpendicular four-light window is located at the west end, above a late 13th-century doorway consisting of three continuous chamfered orders, an undercut label, and stops. A lancet is positioned on the end of the aisle. Inside the chancel, the east window has a 13th-century rere arch, and there is early 20th-century stained glass. A two-centred chamfered arch leads to the tower. The chancel arch is pointed, with two chamfered orders dying into responds. The roof is 19th century.

Inside, memorial tablets in marble on slate are dedicated to Richard Luther (1790) and the Bromfield family (1801). The nave’s south arcade comprises three bays originating around 1200, featuring wall piers with round arches, all slightly chamfered, followed by late 13th-century octagonal piers and double chamfered arches. To the east is a chamfered arch to the chapel under the tower and remains of a rood loft. Tablets commemorate the Cleaveland family. A 12th-century three-doorway with spurs is also present. The north arcade has three triple chamfered arches supported by round abaci on Purbeck piers. A monument from 1652 is dedicated to John Kempe, an alabaster tablet featuring a demi-figure in an oval recess, flanked by black columns. A second monument from 1804 commemorates William Gilpin, rector from 1777 and writer, by MW Johnson. The west doorway has chamfered angles. 17th-century floor slabs remain. The nave includes a 15th-century barrel vaulted roof with moulded timbers. A 15th-century octagonal font is present, refurbished in 1876 by RN Shaw, constructed from stone.