St John the Divine
Sharow, Yorkshire
Wonderful windows, interesting colourful interior, species rich churchyard and fascinating graves.
St James’s was constructed between 1855-7 and shares similar features to Butterfield’s model church of All Saints, Margaret Street, London.
The interior decoration is splendid, a must visit. It builds to a climax as one travels from west to east and the building provides a superb example of the High Victorian style.
The impression the building creates is due chiefly to the height of the spire which is 49 metres high, the contrasting colours of the walls and roofs, and the restrained dignity of the windows.
There are too many highlights to mention but perhaps the real tour de force is the exceptionally ornate font, surmounted by a slender ribbed cover. The octagonal bowl is unforgettable, inlaid with pale grey and red marbles and surrounded by slate grey horizontal mouldings at top and bottom. The base is formed of eight marble columns, alternately mottled red and striped blue, with neat white marble capitals.