Diameter: 16" Bell 1 of 1
Dove Bell ID: 54867 Tower ID: 20595 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Hamsteels: St John Baptist
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 178 438
A small Victorian church of local stone with a short brick chancel and a west belcote, which along with the site on the north side of the main road (Front Street) running through the village gives it some landscape value. This is a simple design in the Early English style. The nave has a single lancet to each bay. The only exception is the east bay of the nave with pointed and cusped 2-light windows to light the altar before the chancel was added.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
4-bay nave, short chancel, west porch, large north vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave c 17m (55ft) x 8m (25ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
A Neolithic polished stone axe was found in 1891 in the vicarage garden a short distance to the west of the church. The area is known for Iron Age and Romano-British settlement remains in particular, and a Roman Road (Dere Street) ran almost on the line of Front Street, crossing it along the south side of the churchyard. There are also extensive Medieval and post-Medieval settlement remains and field systems, and a Scheduled moated site 1/4 mile south (at Rowley Farm). The archaeological potential of the site is considerable, and reference should be made to the Historic Environment Record and contact made with the County Archaeologist if any development of the site is being considered.
Hamsteels is an ancient hamlet of Medieval origin, the original site of which is now marked by Hamsteels Hall, 1/4 mile north of the church and the village of Quebec, which appears to date from the late 18th century. According to local tradition the church was converted and extended from a school chapel in 1873 to serve the inhabitants of Quebec and of a new colliery village called Hamsteels just to the south. The brick chancel may have been added at this point, and the large vestry somewhat later. The colliery village was completely demolished following the closure of the pit in the 1950s and the occupants relocated.
Exterior Description
This is a simple design in the Early English style. The nave has a single lancet to each bay. The only exception is the east bay of the nave with pointed and cusped 2-light windows to light the altar before the chancel was added. Buttresses of two weatherings, and diagonal buttresses. Pointed south doorway and paired lancets to the west wall of the small gabled west porch, two cusped lancets in the west facade. As noted already there is a gabled stone belcote to the west gable.
The chancel is lower and narrower than the nave, a blocked trefoil opening can be seen in the nave east gable. The east window is a 3-light of stepped lancets with a blocked roundel in the gable, single lancets in the unbuttressed side walls and a pointed doorway in the north wall. Gabled north vestry with domestic windows and door.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century 4-bay nave
Chancel
19th century short chancel
Porch
19th century west porch
Vestry
19th century large north vestry
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century uneven coursed sandstone rubble with freestone dressings
Brick
19th century brick chancel
Welsh Slate
19th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, the interior is also simple, whitewashed and flaking in places, with a yellow panelled dado. The nave is fully pewed with simple benches with shaped ends and open backs. The floor is of stone flags with the chancel mostly under red carpet, the roof a simple arch-braced construction with a collar. Broad plain pointed chancel arch, the chancel roof boarded. Stained glass in the east window and other chancel windows imparts a little colour, framing the Early English altar.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Early English altar, table of oak.
Reredos
20th century Filigree oak reredos with carved figures of the Good Shepherd and Virgin and Child, and riddle posts with angels.
Pulpit
20th century Hexagonal oak with blind tracery.
Lectern
20th century Brass with open scrolled reading desk, given 1936.
Font (component)
20th century Plain octagonal stone font in 13th century style.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century In the east window the Crucifixion, a World War I memorial. Like the side windows it is by George Joseph Baguley & son of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 2-light with the Angel at the Tomb, in memory of Thomas Lowdon, organist, died 1922. Lancet with the Good Samaritan given in memory of Dr James Kirkland, died 1912.
Plaque (component)
20th century Several 20th century brass plaques.
Organ (object)
19th century A small pipe organ by Harrison & Harrison built 1893. Attractive tall case. A good instrument.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
registers from 1874
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 178 438
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.
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
Sources
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