Church of St John the Baptist, Niton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St John the Baptist, Niton |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | St John the Baptist |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Niton, Isle of Wight |
| Diocese | Portsmouth |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St John the Baptist, Niton is a historic Church of England parish church located in Niton, Isle of Wight. It has been a central part of the community for many centuries.
Contents
History of the Church
The Church of St John the Baptist was first started by a powerful person named William FitzOsbern. He gave the church to a monastery in Normandy, France. Over the years, the church has been changed and rebuilt many times, especially during the Victorian era.
Building Through the Ages
The main part of the church, called the nave, might be from the 11th century. The special bowl used for baptisms, known as the font, is also very old and shows a style called Norman architecture.
Around the end of the 12th century, a side section called an aisle was added to the north side of the church. Soon after, another aisle was built on the south side.
In the 14th century, the area around the altar, called the chancel, was rebuilt. A covered entrance, known as the south porch, was also added.
Later Additions and Changes
During the 15th century, a small chapel was built next to the chancel on the south side. An archway was made in the chancel wall to connect it to this new chapel.
The north aisle was later taken down. The arches that connected it to the main church were filled in. New windows, in a style called Perpendicular Gothic, were put into these filled-in arches.
Towards the end of the 15th century, a tall tower was added to the west side of the church. This tower was also built in the Perpendicular Gothic style. In the 16th century, new square-shaped windows were put into the south aisle. The pointy top of the tower, called a spire, was probably added in the early 17th century.
Special Features and Memorials
Inside the church, you can find a special memorial made by a famous artist named John Flaxman. It shows a woman holding pelicans. The chancel also has a modern reredos, which is a decorated screen behind the altar.
The church records, which go back to 1560, include an interesting entry:
July the 1st, Anno Domini 1675. Charles II, king of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, etc., came safely ashore at Puckaster, after he had endured a great and dangerous storm at sea.."
This shows that King Charles II once landed safely nearby after a big storm at sea!
Outside the church, in front of the porch, there is a 19th-century Celtic cross. It stands on the old steps of an even older churchyard cross.
Near this Celtic cross, a marble monument marks the grave of Edward Edwards. He was a very important person who helped start the idea of public libraries. The churchyard also has four graves for service members who died in wars. Three are from World War I and one is from World War II. These graves are looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Church Organ
If you are interested in organs, you can find details about the church's organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
