An interesting and beautiful church in a lovely village setting.
Greatham, County Durham
St John the Baptist is a medieval Grade II* Listed church, built between 1180 and 1190, located in the Greatham conservation area in the South Downs National Park.
In 1246, the church belonged to the heir of Roger Bertram, and was later granted, along with the manor, to the adjacent Greatham Hospital of St Mary and St Cuthbert. This has since been named the Hospital of God, and is now a nursing home. The church was erected over the foundations of an early Saxon building by Bishop Stichell of Durham in 1270.
It was rebuilt in 1792, a clerestory added by the Reverend H B Tristram in 1869, and a new vestry and organ chamber added in 1881. While this work demolished the Norman walls within a few feet of their foundation, the Church still holds onto historical features.
The tower was built in 1909. The 4 bells were cast and installed by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough in 1931, and completely refurbished in 2020.
There are in the present church various pieces of stone masonry which have been discovered during the periods of reconstruction. There is evidence of them dating back to the early Saxon structure of the Church.
A Norman cross head found beneath the foundations of the west wall amongst stones calcined by fire, and some pieces of molten lead – possibly from the Danish raids of 901. In shape, the cross is a Maltese or Greek cross. This is an excellent piece of Norman carving not later than the 11th century.
Foundations of a small 1860 Saxon or Norman Church are found beneath the floor of the current Church building, and the substructure of the old chancel arch could be clearly traced. These early foundations remain buried beneath the flooring of the present church.
A Frosterley marble font, possibly from the 12th Century, completes the evidence of these early buildings for Christian worship in Greatham.
Empshott, Hampshire
Empshott is a beautiful area of English farmland and woodland at the headwaters of the River Rother, the church is 13th century, though there has inevitably been some rebuilding over the centuries, including a charming bell turret.
Hawkley, Hampshire
Hawkley is a lovely village in the South Downs National Park; the church is at the heart of the village and is a beautiful, welcoming and tranquil 19th century Romanesque style building with an unusual Rhenish helm spire and beautiful interior decoration and stained glass, set in an attractive churchyard.
Farringdon, Hampshire
A beautiful 12th century church, set in a rural Hampshire village and adjacent to two ancient Yew trees which long predate the church.
