Nominal: 1012 Hz Weight: 541 lbs Diameter: 30.63" Bell 1 of 5
Founded by Joseph Smith 1726
Dove Bell ID: 7465 Tower ID: 13436 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Willey: St John the Baptist
Overview
Grid reference: SO 672 991
The nave and aisles are both of mid-twelfth century date though they were much altered when Sir Arthur Blomfield added the aisles in 1880. The western tower dates from the mid-18th century.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave with aisles and a west tower, At the east end of the south aisle is a small. memorial chapel and at the west end of the same aisle is a raised transept containing the family pew of the Forester family of Willey Hall, whilst at the east end of the north aisle is an organ chamber. The aisles stop short of the western end of the nave.
Description of Archaeology and History
The nave and aisles are both of mid-twelfth century date though they were much altered when Sir Arthur Blomfield added the aisles in 1880. The western tower dates from the mid-18th century.
Exterior Description
The body of the Norman church is almost totally enclosed by Blomfield's additions, which consist of two large aisles with pitched roofs and square-headed windows openings with simple trefoiled lights. The south aisle is somewhat more elaborate than its fellow and has a shallow western transept with a three-light Decorated-style window in the gable wall and a separate entrance for the family pew on the west side. At the east end of the same aisle two buttresses and a gablet announce the memorial chapel to the second Lord Forester. The chapel has an encircled cinquefoiled window in the east wall and a double lancet window of Early English pattern between the buttresses on the south side.
The 18th century west tower is the most prominent visible pre-Victorian external feature. The principal architectural features are concentrated on the on the west face. At ground level is the round-headed entrance door with prominent keystone and imposts. Above it is Blomfield's three light window with flowing tracery. The north, south and west faces of the belfry have plain round-headed louvred openings and, above them, the tower rises through a narrow string-course to an embattled parapet. The tower is angle-buttressed to the west and further buttressing marks its eastern junction with the nave.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1933
In the east window is some late glass by Morris and Co depicting the Baptism of Christ.
Interior
Interior Description
Blomfield's restoration included the addition of an organ chamber at the end of the north aisle. Both the quasi-transeptal chapels communicate with their aisles but only the southern chapel opens towards the chancel. It is vaulted in two bays, the entrance bay introducing the main quadripartite rib-vault with its dogtooth ornamentation. It is notable for its unexpectedly rich detail and the whole programme of Blomfield's restoration and enlargement shows great sensitivity. The style of the nave arcades is that of the c.1200 whilst most of the other details are in the manner of a century later. The nave arcades are of three bays with heavy single-chamfered arches on substantial columns with thin foliage capitals. The chancel arch is double-chamfered and the inner section rests on corbels. The vault of the chapel, the arcades and the window surrounds are of a hard orange-pink sandstone, whilst the colonettes are of grey marble. Most of the remaining stonework in the church is a greyish limestone. The plaster was removed from the interior and exterior walls in 1881 and the interior remains unwhitened.
There are sugficient remains to show that both nave and chancel were built in the 12th century. In the south wall of the chancel are two splayed round-headed windows, one of which is now blocked and there is a similar window in the north wall of the nave west of the aisle. Further mediaeval remains are the double window in the north wall of the chancel which may be 14th century in origin, and, also in the chancel, the remains of a low-side window hidden internally by the monument to George Weld. Both nave and chancel have roofs of trussed-rafter type and the floors show the way in which Blomfield utilised the existing pattern in the tower space of diagonally placed tiles with small black squares at the intersections for the whole of the church.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
A plain hemisphericalbowl rests on a circular stem.
Pulpit
A hexagonal wooden pulpit with three tiers of panelling incorporates three strapwork panels in the Jacobean style.
Altar
Communion Table: encased in the frame of the altar is a small table with turned legs of 18th century appearance.
Panelling
The panelling in the sanctuary, in the aisles and in the Forester pew is Jacobean in style. Blomfield appears to have retained the Jacobean woodwork existing in the church and incorporated this into new woodwork of the same style.
Bells
Nominal: 1517 Hz Weight: 293 lbs Diameter: 23.5" Bell 2 of 5
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1880
Dove Bell ID: 46087 Tower ID: 13436 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1352 Hz Weight: 317 lbs Diameter: 24.5" Bell 3 of 5
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1880
Dove Bell ID: 46088 Tower ID: 13436 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1274 Hz Weight: 287 lbs Diameter: 25" Bell 4 of 5
Founded by William Clibury 1618
Dove Bell ID: 46089 Tower ID: 13436 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1136 Hz Weight: 383 lbs Diameter: 27.25" Bell 5 of 5
Founded by William Clibury 1618
Dove Bell ID: 46090 Tower ID: 13436 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SO 672 991
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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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