Sutton: St John
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 502 104
The church is known to have been in existence in the thirteenth century and to have been a possession of Wenlock Abbey, for it was mentioned as such in an Inquisition of 1278. As it now stands it is a plain rectangular chamber with three windows in the east wall, the central one taller than the outer pair and also higher from the ground.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
The present building is all that remains of the church and appears to represent the eastern part of a building which at one time ran further towards the west. It seems more likely that the church was always a simple rectangle, although it has been suggested that the existing fabric is the chancel to a much larger nave. The fall of the ground towards the west seems to make this thesis unlikely to be true.
Dimensions:
30ft. by 19ft.
Description of Archaeology and History
The present fabric is basically Early English with the walls heightened and roof renewed in the Elizabethan period (repairs are known to have been carried out in 1544) and a new brick west wall provided in the eighteenth century.
The church is known to have been in existence in the thirteenth century and to have been a possession of Wenlock Abbey, for it was mentioned as such in an Inquisition of 1278.
Exterior Description
As it now stands it is a plain rectangular chamber with three windows in the east wall, the central one taller than the outer pair and also higher from the ground. These lancet lights have a simple chamfer externally. The north and south walls each also have three windows, all lancets of similar type and dimensions save for the centre light on the south side which now has a flat head owing to later rebuilding. This rebuilding seems to have been in order to heighten the wall, and to have been carried out as part of the repairs in 1544. Westward of the western windows in both the north and south walls are large buttresses suggesting that the nave (or western part of the church) may have been taken down for structural reasons. The west wall was rebuilt at some unknown date in the eighteenth-century with red brick, and is reinforced by two iron ties attached to the central truss of the roof with the result that the wall now sooms to be drawing the truss out as it bulges westwards. In the lower part is a doorway with timber jambs and lintol which form the only entrance to the building and directly above this is an arched window with stone imposts and keystone and brick voussoirs containing three lights with mullions and tracery executed in timbor. The outer pair of lights have round heads and the line of the two-centred arch in the middle continues on each side up to the arch of the frame forming simple intersectingtracery. There is now no glass in any window in the building.
Building Materials
Sandstone
Walls generally made of local sandstone
Brick
West wall
Interior
Interior Description
The floor is paved with tiles belonging to a nineteenth-century restoration in the centre alley and in the sanctuary, with two ledger slabs inset. The pews (of which none now remain) stood on boarded platforms and a wooden panel painted with the text REVERENCE MY SANCTUARY is still attached to the east wall.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
13th Century
Date unknown, but considered to be the original. Large stone bowl.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 502 104
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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