Hadzor: St John the Baptist
Overview
Grid reference: SO 915 625
14th century, extensively rebuilt in 1835 and further restored in 1866. The tower and vestry are completely 19th century. The exterior stonework is a mixture of red and white sandstone, the walls faced with good quality ashlar. The tower is a curious feature, much broader than its length, with lancet bell-openings and a saddle-backed roof with projecting embattled pinnacles at the four corners. The plinth, which surrounds the building, is largely original 14th century stonework and batters inwards: also largely original is the frieze of square fleurons below the eaves. At each corner of the chancel are two buttresses with moulded offsets finished with trefoiled gablets.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, chancel, west tower and north vestry.
Description of Archaeology and History
14th century, extensively rebuilt in 1835 and further restored in 1866. The tower and vestry are completely 19th century.
Exterior Description
The exterior stonework is a mixture of red and white sandstone, the walls faced with good quality ashlar. The tower is a curious feature, much broader than its length, with lancet bell-openings and a saddle-backed roof with projecting embattled pinnacles at the four corners. The plinth, which surrounds the building, is largely original 14th century stonework and batters inwards: also largely original is the frieze of square fleurons below the eaves. At each corner of the chancel are two buttresses with moulded offsets finished with trefoiled gablets. These, and the corresponding buttresses at the corners of the nave, have been restored - hut no doubt following their original form. The east wall appears to have been entirely refaced, and the western parts of the north and south nave walls were largely rebuilt when the tower was constructed. The exterior stonework of the three-light east window is almost all 19th century: it has a two-centred traceried head and moulded labels with grotesque head-stops. The chancel north window, and the two chancel south windows, are all of two principal lights with a quatrefoil over. Their moulded labels, both inside and out, have open points and carved finials. The internal label stops are carved with heads, human heads on the south and animal heads on the north. There are three windows on each side of the nave, which are all (according to the Victorian County History) original, except for the north-west window which evidently replaced a north doorway mentioned in 1825 as being then blocked-up. Entrance now is at the west, through a small vaulted porch under the tower.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
14th Century
The nave north windows contain fragments of 14th century glass, including heads of the Blessed Virgin and St.Elizabeth.
Stained Glass
In the head of the east window are remains of heraldic glass with arms of Mortimer, Despenser, Beauchamp and Baubeney.
Stained Glass
19th Century
Several good 19th century windows by Hardman.
Building Materials
Sandstone
Ashlar
Interior
Interior Description
Original, if restored, features inside include the tall canopied niches on either side of the east window, with flattened ogee heads under crocketted gables terminating in carved finials. On the south side of the sanctuary, and towards the east end of the south nave wall, are piscinae. And (visible inside but not otherwise) is a small blocked low-side window in the south wall of the chancel. Most remarkable is the elaborate 14th century tomb recess between the first and second windows on the north side of the nave. It has a wide two-centred enclosing arch with a moulded label terminating in a carved central finial. Above this is a niche for a small statue with crocketted, finialled, and gabled head. This centre part is flanked by two further canopied niches, of similar character to the first, and these in turn are flanked by tall pinnacles. It is an unusually rich and sophisticated composition. In the 19th - century it was re-used as the tomb of John Galton, d.1862, and the recess contains a brass plate of this date. Much of the essential character of the interior, and its charm, now lies in the furnishings of 1835 - and these include the organ with its brass sconces, the roof structure, and gallery. The west door, and the gallery arch above, are also of this date.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1835
Rail
1835
Font (object)
1835
Organ (object)
1835
Pew (object)
1866
Pulpit
1866
Churchyard
Grid reference: SO 915 625
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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