StaffordshireALTONStJohnBaptist(LucasWeaverPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1

St John the Baptist

Poised dramatically on the edge of the Churnet Valley, this complex of fine buildings by AWN Pugin was designed to place the Catholic Church at the heart of the village community.

Alton, Staffordshire

Opening times

Our church remains open each day from around 8am to dusk. Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 9am and at other times of the week as advertised.

Address

Castle Hill Road
Alton
Staffordshire
ST10 4AJ

Our church was designed in 1839-40 as the chapel of the Hospital of St John the Baptist, founded by John Talbot, the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury. It represents an early collaboration between Talbot and AWN Pugin. The scheme for the hospital was originally meant as a residence for ‘decaying priests’ (said Pugin) and also a school.

Originally, what is now the nave was built as a schoolroom which could be closed off from the chapel beyond by large wooden doors; the hinge brackets still survive. The consecration took place on 13 July 1842 and in 1932 St John’s became the parish church of Alton.

The church still contains carvings by Thomas Roddis of Sutton Coldfield and stained glass by Paul Woodroffe. The floor tiles in the north chapel are by Herbert Minton.

Key features