St John the Baptist

Early records suggest that there has been a church here since 12th century. Of the original church, nothing above ground remains standing but some of the original stone is thought to have been used in the subsequent rebuilding.

The oldest existing structures in the church include parts of the nave, chancel and the font, which date back to 1240. The 'singers gallery' is mentioned in records of 1766 and is home to a Grade II* listed pipe organ made by Bishops of London especially for this church, and installed in 1842.

The bell tower, built in 1565, houses six bells, five of which are the original Thomas Russell bells hung in 1731.

There are three significant stone effigies on display, one a recumbent figure of the first incumbent William de Walton (d1348), a recumbent knight Sir de Thomas Astley (d1265) and a 14th century female effigy thought to be Lady Margaret de Astley.

The Norwegian oak box pews were repositioned in the 1770s and the Georgian mahogany pulpit can be dated to 1779. These pews were reduced in height in the 1960s, wider seats fitted, and the doors removed. One of the original pews can be found outside the vestry by the north door. The box pew doors were reused and are found in the panelling around the chancel.

There are two 1920s stained glass windows one representing St Peter, Jesus the Good Shepherd, St John, and the second St John the Baptist, Kind David, the story of the Good Samaritan.

Dating from the 12th century, the font was discard in 1777 and replaced with a marble basin on an iron stand. Fortunately, the original font was retrieved from the churchyard rubbish heap in 1849 and replaced in its present position under an engraved canopy around 1880.