Bell 1 of 1
Dove Bell ID: 64293 Tower ID: 25623 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Crowthorne: St John the Baptist
Diocese of Oxford
Church, 627483
http://www.crowthorneparishchurch.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SU 837 639
The building was constructed in the late 19th Century and is composed of principally of red brick, with Bath stone dressings, and in the interior there are three arches on either side of the nave, composed of red and black bricks. The arches rest on six pillars, surmounted with stone caps. Subsequent additions to the Church include the Chancel, Sanctuary, Organ Chamber, Vestry and Lady Chapel
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 509 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
In the 1860s the population of Crowthorne grew substantially. With more and more people moving into the area it soon became clear that the Parish Church of St Michael at Sandhurst was no longer adequate to accommodate the growing number of worshippers.
A temporary church was constructed and a new Ecclesiastical District was created. A committee was formed to raise funds for a permanent structure. The driving force behind this appeal was from Sandhurst Parish, the Head Master of Wellington and the Governor of Broadmoor .
Land was procured with a generous donation from a member of the local gentry, a Mrs Gibson of Sandhurst Lodge. Additional funds for the construction of the church were secured.
It is not recorded how the architect was selected but Rev. Henry S.N. Lenny, curate of Sandhurst, who would become the first Vicar of Crowthorne, wrote to Arthur Blomfield requesting a design and costings for the nave of the church and space enough for a Chancel when it may be built. The church would seat 300. The design was accepted and Arthur William Blomfield (1828-1899) one of the most active and successful church architects of the Gothic revival accepted the commission.
Exterior Description
The church building is composed of principally of red brick, with Bath stone dressings.
The Church hall (completed in 1968) comprises of a porch and hall through which access is gained to the Church at the west wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Chancel
Sanctuary
Vestry
Chapel (component)
Building Materials
Brick
Interior
Interior Description
The Chancel was added in 1889, the design providing half as much again as the existing area of the church including on the southern side an aisle that would become the Lady Chapel and on the northern side an Organ Chamber and Vestry.
The organ, which was moved to its present position during this work, was made by Henry Speechly & Sons and was built in 1882.
The East Window was installed in 1894. The stained glass is by Charles Eamer Kempe (1837-1907) from his workshop in Nottingham Place London.
Set before the window are seven Sanctuary Lamps installed in 1923 .The centre lamp bears the inscription “A.M. D.G. In Memoriam” which is assumed to stand for “Ad Majorem Die Gloriam” rather than for the name of any particular donor.
In 1980 the church was reordered, the High Altar was brought forward from the east wall so that communion can be celebrated with the priest facing the congregation. The choir stalls were repositioned under the east window so that the choir might face into the body of the church. The Altar rails were repositioned to the front and side of the altar. The design is attributed to the architect a Mr Leslie Moore.
Lady Chapel : The single light stained glass east window is of the Madonna and Child, with the motto above “St Marie Mater Amabilis” with lilies in the lower tier. The window is in memory of a Mary Thomson. It is unattributed, and was installed circa 1886.
In 1958 the reredos that had been on the east wall of the Sanctuary was sited behind the altar in the Lady Chapel. The original design by Blomfield was then embellished.
The three figures are a Crucifix of Jesus’ Triumph, the Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist. They were designed by Colin Shewing F.R.I.B.A.
Baptistery: In the same year, to give better access to the church, the font was moved to its present position.
Soon afterwards, stained glass was set into the three light window in the south wall. The centre light depicts Jesus the Lamb of God holding the lamb. The lamb has a Jesus’ Cruciform halo and is bearing the flag of victory.
The east side light is the figure of Jesus with a child in his arms and a child at his feet. The West side light illustrates Jesus’ presentation to Simeon in the Temple.
The font is carved Bath stone in the style and design that can be found on the pulpit and organ screen.
Nave: The view from the entrance of the church looking east taking in the centre aisle flanked by the six solid pillars and arches takes the eye down to the Chancel steps and into the Sanctuary, to the High Altar, Sanctuary lamps and Cross framed by the east window.
The pews designed by Blomfield are carved to match the screens on the Lady Chapel and Organ chamber.
Pulpit: The Pulpit of carved oak was designed by Blomfield and was installed when the Chancel was completed. It was dedicated together with the Choir Stalls at Easter 1890.
Lectern: The provenance of this lectern in the form of a brass Eagle and cast iron base is not known. It is thought to have come from Wellington College but there is no record of the transaction.
North Aisle: On the west wall of the north aisle below the Royal British Legion Standards is a tablet. It was placed there in 1953 by the boys of St Paul’s School who worshipped in this church during World War II. It is a token of their thanks to the people of Crowthorne for the kindness shown to them. The tablet was designed by Thomas Arthur Darcy Braddell A.R.I.B.A. 1884-1970, who was a former pupil.
Choir Vestry: In 1909 a plan to build a vestry adjacent to the existing one for the Choir to robe and practise was formulated. The new Vestry was dedicated on 18th December that year. It is not known if Blomfield prepared the design, however this late addition does follow the style of the original building.
In the Church Hall , the use of fold back glass doors enables the hall to become part of the Church and seat a further 145 people.
Fixtures and fittings
Choir
1980 reordering choir stalls were repositioned under the east window so that the choir might face into the body of the church
Rail
1980 reordering The Altar rails given in Memory of Harold Watkin Cave 1846-1948 by his wife were repositioned to the front and side of the altar. The design is attributed to the architect a Mr Leslie Moore.
Stained Glass (window)
1886 The single light stained glass east window is of the Madonna and Child, with the motto above “St Marie Mater Amabilis” with lilies in the lower tier. The window is in memory of a Mary Thomson. It is unattributed, and was installed circa 1886.
Reredos
In 1958 the reredos that had been on the east wall of the Sanctuary was sited behind the altar in the Lady Chapel. The original design by Blomfield was then embellished. At a meeting of the Parochial Church Council in 1959 an offer was received from a Mrs Clare Bishop the mother of Dr J.B. Bishop who had been, up to his death, the Vicar’s Warden. The memorial, to her son, was to take the form of three figures on the panels of the reredos, together with a memorial plate and a new sanctuary lamp of chrome plate. The gifts were accepted. The three figures are a Crucifix of Jesus’ Triumph, the Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist. They were designed by Colin Shewing F.R.I.B.A. and the hanging Lamp and plate by the Warham Guild.
Font (object)
to give better access to the church, the font was moved to its present position. The font is carved Bath stone in the style and design that can be found on the pulpit and organ screen.
Stained Glass (window)
1959 stained glass was set into the three light window in the south wall. The centre light depicts Jesus the Lamb of God holding the lamb. The lamb has a Jesus’ Cruciform halo and is bearing the flag of victory. On the banner to the right of the figure of Jesus is written ECCEAGNUS. The inscription in the lower border reads “In memory of R.G. Badcock died December 1871.” The east side light is the figure of Jesus with a child in his arms and a child at his feet. The inscription in the lower border is “Suffer little children to come unto me.” The West side light illustrates Jesus’ presentation to Simeon in the Temple. The figure of Simeon has the Christ Child in his arms as Mary kneels before them. The inscription in the lower border is “A Heritage and Gift that comes from the Lord” (Psalm127 The studios that produced these three stained glass panels are unknown.
Altar
Pulpit
1890 The Pulpit of carved oak was designed by Blomfield and was installed when the Chancel was completed. It was dedicated together with the Choir Stalls at Easter 1890.
Lectern
The provenance of this lectern in the form of an Eagle is not known. It is thought to have come from Wellington College but there is no record of the transaction.
Inscribed Object
1953 On the west wall of the north aisle below the Royal British Legion Standards is a tablet. It was placed there in 1953 by the boys of St Paul’s School who worshipped in this church during World War II. It is a token of their thanks to the people of Crowthorne for the kindness shown to them. The tablet was designed by Thomas Arthur Darcy Braddell A.R.I.B.A. 1884-1970, who was a former pupil.
Organ (object)
1882 Henry Speechly & Sons
Stained Glass (window)
1894 East Window installed in 1894. The stained glass is by Charles Eamer Kempe (1837-1907) from his workshop in Nottingham Place London. The window is in memory of Henry Thornton Morgan 2nd Vicar of St John’s 1884-94 The following description is an extract from the Parish Magazine of 1883. “A design has been obtained from C.E. Kempe, Esq., ... in this design the five lights of the window contain two tiers of subjects- in the upper tier the Cross is in the centre, with St Mary and St John the Evangelist on either side; in the outer lights are St John the Baptist one side, as patron of the Church, and the Prophet Malachi, as his herald, (Malachi iv.,5-6) on the other side in the lower tier are scenes rather than figures; in the centre St John baptizing our Lord; on the north side St John preaching in the wilderness; on the south side St John reproving Herod and Herodias (with the banquet scene indicated in the background)” This design was amended before being executed; Isaiah replaced Malachi as proved by the biblical text. Also in the finished design the Cross is changed to the Crucifix of Jesus’ Suffering.
Lamp
1923 seven Sanctuary Lamps installed in 1923 .The centre lamp bears the inscription “A.M. D.G. In Memoriam” which is assumed to stand for “Ad Majorem Die Gloriam” rather than for the name of any particular donor.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 837 639
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.
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.
Churchyard Structures
Cross
1913 Cross of Caldey Island stone was erected to the west of the church in the middle of the central Churchyard path. The inscription round the base of the Cross reads “To the Glory Of God and in remembrance of many who without memorial rest in his most loving keeping this Cross is dedicated. A.D.1913”
Lych Gate
1913 The Lych Gate was erected at the east end of the Churchyard at the junction of Church Street and Waterloo Road. The tiled roof surmounted by a plain wooden Cross is supported on ten wooden posts fixed into a low brick wall.
War Memorial
1921 In 1921 it was decided that a war memorial be created and that it would take the form of four stone tablets with the names of the fallen in 1914-1918 carved upon them and set into the spaces between the posts of the gate, two to the north side and two to the south. The tablets contain the names of 150 who died in the Great War.
War Memorial
1953 In 1953 a granite boulder in memorial to the dead of the 1939-45 War was set in the graveyard facing the Lych Gate. 25 names are engraved upon it.
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 | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
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
Sources
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