St John the Baptist
Wadworth, Yorkshire
The church sits on a commanding hill and is visible from a considerable distance.
The fate of the church has been connected for most of its known history to the owners of the Hall, with successive owners being patrons of various generosity towards the church. Many of the families are remembered either in the graveyard or within the church itself. For most of its life, the church will have been in a monastic type seclusion with the associated peace.
For most of its life, the church will have been in a monastic type seclusion with the associated peace. The first known changes to the church were carried out by the Wyrral family. They added a side chapel in about 1530. Extensive repairs and restoration were carried by the Overtons in the 1780s. In 1855 the entire nave and south aisle were taken down and rebuilt. The font was moved and placed in the area under the south arch of the tower, the floor was tiled, open pews put in and the roof was pitched higher. The porch was added in 1861.
Interesting features to see include: Coat of Arms of the Banks family, Royal Coat of Arms of George I, 14th century oak stalls and table tomb, 15th century Wyrral Chapel containing Tudor windows, an altar tomb and a recumbent knight.