St John's Church, Throapham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John's Church, Throapham |
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St John's Church, Throapham, from the east
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| OS grid reference | SK 523 875 |
| Location | Throapham, South Yorkshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Churches Conservation Trust |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint John the Baptist |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 15 October 1986 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Limestone, stainless steel and slate roofs |
St John's Church is an old Anglican church. It is located near the village of Throapham in South Yorkshire, England. You can find it on the road between Dinnington and Laughton-en-le-Morthen. This church is very special! It is listed as a Grade I building. This means it is a very important historical site. The Churches Conservation Trust takes care of it now.
Contents
History
A Look Back in Time
This church stands on a very old spot. People believe there was at least one Celtic holy well here long ago. Some parts of the church are even from the Anglo-Saxon period. That was a time in English history before the Norman Conquest.
Most of the church was built in the 1100s. The main part of the church, called the nave, was built in different stages during the Middle Ages. The tall tower was added in the 1400s. Later, in 1709, the chancel (the area around the altar) and the porch were rebuilt.
In the 1800s, the church was restored. This is often called a "Victorian restoration." It means parts were repaired and updated. St John's Church officially became part of the Churches Conservation Trust on May 1, 1985.
Architecture
How the Church is Built
St John's Church is made from limestone blocks. These blocks are carefully cut and shaped. The main roofs are made of stainless steel. The side sections, called aisles, have slate roofs.
The church has a nave with three sections. It also has a high row of windows called a clerestory. There are aisles on the north and south sides. A porch is on the south side. The chancel has two sections. There is also a tall tower at the west end.
The Tower
The tower is built in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. It has three main levels. At the bottom, there are strong supports called buttresses. There is also a door that is now blocked up. Above it is a window with three lights.
There are decorative stone bands between the tower's levels. The top level has openings for bells. The very top of the tower has a parapet with a battlement design. You can also see gargoyles on the north side. The arches between the nave and the aisles were built around the year 1200.
Inside the Church
Furniture and Decorations
The baptismal font is where baptisms take place. It is shaped like an octagon. It is also in the Perpendicular style. The font has carved panels with fancy designs. Its top looks like the battlements of a castle.
The font also has carvings of faces. These faces represent people from the three continents known at the time it was carved. Inside the church, you can also find a carved stone coffin lid. It dates back to about 1300. This lid is in two pieces. It has beautiful carvings of plants. It is described as "remarkable" and a "great treasure."
Visiting the Church
Today's Activities
A local group of volunteers helps manage the church. They are called the Friends of Throapham Church. The church is open for visitors. They also organize special open weekends and guided tours.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in South Yorkshire
- List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in Northern England
