Parish Church Of St John The Baptist

The Parish Church of St John the Baptist is a complex building with roots stretching back to a Saxon church, though the present structure largely dates from the 19th century. Vestiges of 12th, 13th, and 14th century work remain, but the church was virtually rebuilt between 1852 and 1866 by C.E. Giles, commissioned by the Rev. W.J.E. Bennett. The chancel was restored in 1844. It is an excellent example of Victorian Anglo-Catholic remodelling in the Decorated style, incorporating elements inspired by French Rayonnant architecture. Surviving elements from the earlier periods include some carved stones, likely from the 11th century, found beneath the tower, a Norman archway leading to the Lady Chapel, and medieval corbels in the north aisle and Lady Chapel. Two medieval chantry chapels are incorporated: St John's (endowed in 1377) and St Andrew's (opened in 1412).

The church is constructed of rubble with cornice and parapets, and features large gargoyles. It has a seven or eight bay aisled and clerestoried nave, a two-bay chancel with north and south chapels, and two additional north chapels. A two-storey north porch is topped with a rood in the gable, which completes the Via Crucis extending along Church Street. A gabled south porch also features sculpture. The tower has a traceried parapet and a spire above the east bay of the south aisle; most windows are of two lights with ogee arches. The west front has a tall gable above a geometric four-light window. A niche in the gable contains a statue of St John. A central west door is flanked by canopied niches containing statues of the four evangelists by James Forsyth. Side doors have cut-off windows with foiled tracery. Canopied pinnacles crown the gable.

Inside, a pointed arcade divides the nave, with three bays lacking capitals and high, wide octagonal plinths containing roundels depicting scenes from the New Testament. Most of the windows contain coloured glass, primarily by C.E. Kempe and Co., with grisaille in the clerestory and narrative scenes in the aisles. The baptistery has splendid pavement and a carved dado. The Lady Chapel, a Boyle family vault, is ornate and features a Norman doorway, 15th century corbels, several marble memorials (two by R. Westmacott), and the shrouded remains of Edmund Leversedge. The church furnishings and paving are consistently of a high Victorian standard. The churchyard is enclosed by low rubble walls with pyramidal coping, corner piers, and iron gates, and includes a Via Crucis and a fountain.