Handley: St John the Baptist
Overview
Grid reference: SK 406 777
This small church is located at the east end of the village, off the road which winds at this point to the south round a bend down a steep hill. Built in 1838 as a daughter church of Eckington St Paul. The church is very low and squat with no vertical emphasis, and is quite stern in appearance. It has simple pointed lancet windows in each bay with short buttresses between, which continue as strip pilasters up the walls to eaves height
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay nave and slightly lower and narrower polygonal chancel, north vestry and organ chamber. Shallow west porch.
Dimensions:
Nave 16m (50 feet) x 7m (22 feet), chancel 21m (65 feet) x 6m (19 feet).
Description of Archaeology and History
Built in 1838 as a daughter church of Eckington St Paul.
Exterior Description
The church is very low and squat with no vertical emphasis, and is quite stern in appearance. It has simple pointed lancet windows in each bay (two in the west wall) with short buttresses between, which continue as strip pilasters up the walls to eaves height. There are larger buttresses with three weatherings at the west end of the chancel which reach almost to the kneelers, to coping stones with a good finial cross at the east apex of the slightly projecting nave gable; small open bellcote at the west end.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
19th Century
Three sanctuary windows, depicting the Crucifixion, dedicated in memory of Edward Mackie Macfarlane, died November 23rd 1874. A fourth has an angel proclaiming “He is not here but is risen”, and is in a different style, probably later (c 1900).
Stained Glass
Unknown
Two windows in the nave, both with the Good Shepherd
Stained Glass
Unknown
South wall window dedicated in memory of W H Macfarlane, died 15th June 1900
Stained Glass
Unknown
West wall window adjacent to baptistery
Building Materials
Sandstone
Unknown
Yellow sandstone walls
Slate
Unknown
Roof
Clay
Unknown
Roof tiles
Interior
Interior Description
Internally the church is also quite plain. The interior is white-washed. The most notable feature is perhaps the balcony at the west end, which has a painted (predominantly light blue) panelled front supported on thin cast iron piers. The main entrance is located here, with a staircase leading up to the gallery on the south side.
The pointed chancel arch has two orders of plain chamfers springing from demi-shafts with plain moulded (Perpendicular) capitals. Two steps to the chancel and two more up to the altar. There is a large plain piscina in the south wall of the chancel with pointed arch. The organ chamber arch and doorway to the vestry are also plain and pointed.
There is a baptistery in the south-west corner with wooden panelling around the walls Quarry tile floors, with grey carpets in the nave. Dark-stained wooden truss roof with a collar, carried on plain stone corbels in both nave and chancel.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Late 19th Century
Plain table
Pulpit
1900
Hexagonal oak with plain panels, two of which have reproductions of paintings of angels in the manner of Burne-Jones
Lectern
Late 19th Century
Oak reading desk with carved and turned stem and base.
Font (object)
Late 19th Century
Octagonal limestone font, one panel decoraed with IHS. Wooden cover with iron handle.
Plaque (object)
Unknown
Brass plaque “In memory of Helena G Morgan died 5th July 1986 Aged 94 years”.
Plaque (object)
Unknown
Brass plaque in the baptistery “In memory of our beloved brother Henry William Stansfield”.
Organ (object)
1870
Small single manual pipe organ with electric blower. Perhaps by Lloyd & Co of Nottingham. Rebuilt by Bower and Dunn of Sheffield c1920. Pipes painted blue.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 406 777
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
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