Biggleswade: St John the Baptist
Overview
Grid reference: TL 190 450
The walls of the church are built of hard buff-coloured brick with red-brick string courses, arches and mouldings, and the whole structure stands on a plinth which is also of red brick. The roof coverings are of tiles. This was clearly a cheap church, but Blomfield was used to working to a budget, and here produced a building which is both functional and also consistent in the chosen Lancet style.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave with south aisle and north porch, small chancel with transeptal projections on both sides, and over the junction with the nave a large bell-cote.
Exterior Description
The walls of the church are built of hard buff-coloured brick with red-brick string courses, arches and mouldings, and the whole structure stands on a plinth which is also of red brick. The roof coverings are of tiles. This was clearly a cheap church, but Blomfield was used to working to a budget, and here produced a building which is both functional and also consistent in the chosen Lancet style. The church has a high-walled nave with a large pitched roof. The west wall is completely flat, pierced by two tall windows and flanked by bands of red brick which are continued on the other external walls. On the south side of the nave is a tall narrow lean-to aisle with pairs of small lancets in the south wall. The roof of the aisle rises nearly to the guttering of the nave roof and there is, in consequence, no clerestorey. There is no aisle on the north side; in the westernmost of the four bays is a gabled porch of brick, and the three remaining bays are filled with triplets of stepped lancet windows under bold relieving arches. At the eastern end of the nave roof ridge is the substantial bell-cote with very steeply pitched sides. The junction between nave and chancel is further emphasised by massive buttresses capped by a double giblet. The eastern sides of these buttresses are engaged with the small transepts. The east wall of the tall chancel has a large triplet of lancets under a drip-moulding of brick.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the building is rendered throughout. The south arcade is of the simplest pattern with large cylindrical columns having plain abaci. The nave roof is also of standard type with collars and tie-beams and arched braces. The double-chamfered chancel arch spans the full width of the nave.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 190 450
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
Submit a change
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