St John's Church, Colston Bassett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Church, Colston Bassett |
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St John's Church, Colston Bassett
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| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | www.wivertoninthevale.co.uk/saint-john-the-divine-colston-bassett/ |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. John |
| Consecrated | 2 August 1892 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Architect(s) | Arthur Brewill |
| Architectural type | Gothic |
| Years built | 1892 |
| Specifications | |
| Spire height | 150 feet (46 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Colston Bassett |
| Benefice | Wiverton in the Vale |
| Deanery | East Bingham |
| Archdeaconry | Nottingham |
| Diocese | Southwell and Nottingham |
| Province | York |
St John's Church in Colston Bassett is a special old church in England. It belongs to the Church of England and is located in a village called Colston Bassett in Nottinghamshire. This church is considered a "Grade II listed" building, which means it's important for its history or design.
Contents
The Story of St John's Church
Building the Church in 1892
St John's Church was built in 1892. The person who designed it was an architect named Arthur Brewill. A man named Robert Millington Knowles, who lived at Colston Bassett Hall, asked for the church to be built. He was a very important person in Nottinghamshire at the time.
The company that built the church was called Bell and Sons. They moved five bells from an older church and put them into the new tower. These bells could be played to make music. The large window at the front of the church was filled with beautiful stained glass made by a company called Heaton, Butler and Bayne.
The church also received special gifts. The pulpit, which is where the priest gives sermons, was given by Major Day. It was made of oak wood and stone. The font, used for baptisms, was a gift from W.K. Marriott to remember his parents. The lectern, where readings are given, was bought with money collected from the local people.
Fixing the Church: 1934-1936
Even though the church was new, some parts of it were not built very well. So, it needed repairs quite soon after it was finished. The work to fix it started in 1934. An architect named Charles Marriott Oldrid Scott helped with these repairs.
One big problem was the church's tall spire, which had cracks. This was because the iron parts inside were rusting. Fixing the spire cost about £280. Also, the western side of the church was in danger of falling down because its foundations were weak. Sir Edward and Lady Le Merchant paid £1,000 to fix this part.
The church was officially opened again on August 12, 1936. The Bishop of Southwell, Henry Mosley, was there for the event. A new vicar, Reverend John Booth, also started his work at the church that day.
The Older Church of St Mary
Before St John's Church was built, there was an older church in the village called St Mary's. This church became a ruin and was further away from the village. You can still see many parts of the old St Mary's Church today. It is also a very important historical site, listed as Grade I.
The remains of St Mary's Church show different building styles from many years ago. These include Anglo-Saxon, Norman, Gothic, and Georgian periods. The churchyard of the old church is still used today for burials.
War Memorial Cross
In the churchyard of St John's, there is a special cross that remembers local people who died in World War I (1914-1919). This war memorial cross is also a Grade II listed structure. It was made by a company called Farmer & Brindley.
The Bishop of Southwell officially dedicated the cross on May 22, 1920. The cross is made of Portland stone and stands about 12 feet (3.7 meters) tall. It has a message carved into it that lists the names of the men from Colston Bassett who lost their lives in the war.
Churches in the Wiverton Group
St John's Church in Colston Bassett is part of a group of churches called the Wiverton group. This means they work together. Other churches in this group include:
- St Andrew's Church, Langar
- St Giles's Church, Cropwell Bishop
- All Saints' Church, Granby
- Holy Trinity Church, Tythby
- St Mary's Church, Barnstone (this church is no longer used)
- St Michael and All Angels' Church, Elton on the Hill
Important Memorials Inside the Church
Inside St John's Church, you can find memorials that remember important people from the past. These include:
- Henry Martin (Kinsale MP) (died 1839) and his wife Maria Elizabeth
- Reverend Joshua Brooke (died 1888)
- Alice Catherine Knowles (died 1892)
- John Haslam Knowles (died 1890) and Lieutenant Alfred Millington Knowles (died 1900)
- Robert Millington Knowles (died 1924)
- Brigadier General Sir Edward Thomas LeMarchant (died 1953) and his wife Evelyn Brooks Knowles (died 1957)
The Old Rectory
Near the church is a building called The Old Rectory. This building was constructed in 1834 and was designed by Henry Moses Wood.
See also
- Listed buildings in Colston Bassett
