St John the Baptist's Church, Llanrothal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St John the Baptist's Church, Llanrothal |
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St John the Baptist's Church, Llanrothal, from the northwest
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 St John the Baptist's Church, Llanrothal
Location in Herefordshire
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| 51°51′48″N 2°46′12″W / 51.8633°N 2.7701°W | |
| OS grid reference | SO 470 185 |
| Location | Llanrothal, Herefordshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Churches Conservation Trust |
| History | |
| Dedication | John the Baptist |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 25 February 1966 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman. Gothic |
St John the Baptist's Church is a very old and special church in a quiet part of Llanrothal, Herefordshire, England. It's looked after by a group called the Churches Conservation Trust. This church is famous for being in a really peaceful spot, high up and looking over the River Monnow, close to the border between England and Wales. It's also a "listed building," which means it's an important historical place that needs to be protected.
Contents
The Church's Story: A Look Back in Time
This church is thought to have been started by a Celtic saint named Ridol. Later, it was given a new dedication to John the Baptist during the Norman period (around the 11th to 12th centuries).
How Old Is This Building?
The church building you see today was mostly built in the 12th and 13th centuries. That means it's over 700 years old! In the 1900s, parts of the church, like the chancel (the area around the altar) and the vestry (a room for changing clothes), were repaired.
Why Is It Special?
St John's Church is now a "redundant church." This means it's no longer used for regular church services. Instead, it's cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. They took over its care on April 1, 1985, to make sure it stays safe for everyone to visit and learn from. Many people describe it as one of the most isolated churches in Herefordshire because it's in such a quiet, remote area. It sits just a short distance from the River Monnow.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The outside of the church has a special coating called "stucco." This helps protect the walls. The church has a simple design. It has a main hall called a nave and a chancel at the east end. There's also a porch on the north side, which used to be the vestry.
Windows and Walls
On the north wall of the nave, you can see a round-headed window from the 12th century. This is a classic example of Norman architecture. There's also a window from the 13th century with a "trefoil" head, which means it has a shape like a three-leaf clover. You'll find two similar windows on the south wall. The chancel has a large window with four sections on its south wall. The east window has two sections with a circular window above them.
Inside the Church
Inside, you'll find a pulpit from the 1600s. It's covered in wooden panels. There's also a brass chandelier that was given to the church by a person named Ivor Bulmer-Thomas.
The baptismal font is where baptisms take place. It's a simple stone bowl on a narrow stand. This font also dates back to the Norman period. It has a special cross carved into it called a "cross pattée." Even though it has this cross, there's no known connection to the Knights Templar, who were famous medieval knights. The altar, where services are held, is a simple stone slab resting on two stone blocks.
See also
