Asthall Leigh: St John
Overview
Grid reference: SP 307 126
This simple little church is built of local limestone rubble with Bath stone dressings for the windows and quoins. The north and south walls have circular cinquefoiled windows which give the church an odd look, almost as though it were a clerestorey set on the ground.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
A single cell building with aisleless nave of six narrow bays and chancel of one bay under the same roof. A porch projects near the west end of the south wall, and a small vestry near the east end of the north wall. There is no belfry.
Description of Archaeology and History
By Robert Wetten of Westminster and built by Bartlett of Witney; consecrated July 1861.
Exterior Description
This simple little church is built of local limestone rubble with Bath stone dressings for the windows and quoins. The north and south walls have circular cinquefoiled windows which give the church an odd look, almost as though it were a clerestorey set on the ground. In the west wall of the nave are two lancet lights with a sexfoil above; and the west window is quite large in comparison, with three lights below and three large circular sexfoils in the head. A stringcourse runs beneath all the windows but at a different height on the east wall because the window there is set higher in the wall. The gables at each end have stylised iron crosses on them. The sloping shoulders of the low buttresses at each corner reach almost-to the ground, adding to the impression of a sunken clerestorey. The south porch has a circular window in each side wall, and a door with bold chamfered mouldings and little pillars rather out of scale.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
The stained glass is confined to the west and east windows and is by Hardman. The east window has a Crucifixion flanked by two saints and the west window has a Saint in each of the main lancets and an angel in the sexfoil above.
Interior
Interior Description
Inside, the circular lights are less striking because they are framed internally by deep splays and wide pointed arches. The roof of the nave has big carved braces, with plastered ceiling between each pair, and the chancel roof (little more than a sanctuary at the end of the nave) has a slightly pointed barrel vault. There is no decorative detail at all except a moulded internal dripstone round the east window and the odd abstract mouldings on the corbels supporting the roof braces. The visual effect of the windows in the lateral walls is at present marred by electric heaters which cut across the line of the embrasures.
Fixtures and fittings
Pulpit
The pulpit is a stone drum with a roll-moulding round the top.
Lectern
The lectern is of wood.
Font (object)
The font is a stone octagon, very plain.
Rail
The Communion Rails are wooden.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 307 126
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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