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Church of St John the Baptist, Outwood
St John the Baptist's Church, Outwood (NHLE Code 1403249).JPG
St John the Baptist, Outwood
Church of St John the Baptist, Outwood is located in Surrey
Church of St John the Baptist, Outwood
Church of St John the Baptist, Outwood
Location in Surrey
51°11′54″N 0°06′46″W / 51.1982°N 0.1128°W / 51.1982; -0.1128
Location Brickfield Road, Outwood, Surrey
Country England
Denomination Church of England
Website http://www.windmillchurches.co.uk
History
Status Parish Church
Dedicated 1869
Architecture
Architect(s) William Burges
W.P. Manning
Architectural type Church
Style Plain lancet/Anglo-Norman (revival), Grade II listed
Specifications
Capacity c.150
Bells 4 (full circle)
Administration
Parish Outwood
Diocese Anglican Diocese of Southwark

The Church of St John the Baptist is a special church located in Outwood, a village in Surrey, England. It's the main church for the local community, where people gather for services and events.

About the Church Services

The Church of St John the Baptist is part of the Diocese of Southwark. The services here follow a traditional style.

Special Christmas Services

Around Christmas, the church has some lovely events:

  • An afternoon crib service with candles on Christmas Eve.
  • A midnight mass service on Christmas Eve.
  • A carol service on a Sunday before Christmas.

Who Leads the Church?

The church leaders, called clergy, also serve the nearby areas of Burstow and Horne. These three areas work together as one group, called a benefice.

The Church Building and Its Design

The Church of St John the Baptist was built a long time ago, in 1869. It was designed to look like churches from the early medieval period.

Who Designed the Church?

The main architect was William Burges, a famous designer. The church tower, added in 1876, was designed by W. P. Manning. The tower has a unique half-round shape on one side.

What Does It Look Like?

The outside of the church is made of knapped stone, which is stone that has been shaped. The tower is covered in a smooth finish called stucco over brick. Inside, the church has a simple but beautiful brick design. The roof has timber beams and a special acorn-shaped wooden ceiling.

A Historic Building

The Church of St John the Baptist is a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. Experts have described its design as "honest" and "blunt," meaning it's very straightforward and doesn't try to be fancy.

The Church's Surroundings

The church is in a peaceful location. It's surrounded on three sides by land owned by the National Trust. This includes a farm, a common meadow, and thick woods.

Inside the Church

The church has a vestry, which is a room where the choir and clergy keep their special robes. The outside of the church is made from local Reigate Stone. The inside has detailed brickwork, showing off the amazing skills of Victorian builders. The church also has heating and electricity, making it comfortable for everyone.

The Graveyard

Around the church, there is a well-kept graveyard.

The Parish of Outwood

The church serves the parish of Outwood. A parish is an area looked after by a church. This area is mostly made up of farms and cottages spread out along country roads.

How the Parish Was Formed

The current parish of Outwood was created on August 19, 1870. It was made from parts of five older parishes: Burstow, Blechingley, Horley, Horne, and Nutfield. The closest villages are Burstow and Horne.

Other Activities

If you're interested in bells, bell ringing practice happens at the church on Monday evenings.

See also

  • Diocese of Southwark
  • List of places of worship in Tandridge (district)
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