St John the Baptist's Church, Papworth St Agnes

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Coordinates: 52°15′50″N 0°08′29″W / 52.2639°N 0.1414°W / 52.2639; -0.1414
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St John the Baptist's Church,
Papworth St Agnes
Style
Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking1848
Completed1854
Specifications
MaterialsLimestone and knapped flint fieldstone flushwork in a chequerboard pattern, tiled roofs

St John the Baptist's Church is a

Anglican church in the village of Papworth St Agnes, Cambridgeshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building,[1] and is under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches.[2]

Early history

A church was present on the site at the date of the Domesday Survey,[3] and it was replaced by a further church in 1530.[1] By 1827 the chancel of this church had been demolished; at that time it consisted of a west tower and a nave in Perpendicular style.[4] It was almost completely rebuilt in the middle of the 19th century, the tower in 1848 and the rest of the church between 1852 and 1854.[1] The new church incorporated some items from the previous churches.[4] It was designed by the rector at that time, Rev J. H. Sperling.[5]

Architecture

The church is constructed in alternating blocks of

gargoyles at the corners. All the windows are arched with three lights and tracery. Both the porch and the vestry are gabled.[1] Items reused from former churches include a doorway dating from the 14th century, the tower arch of the 1530 church, and the gargoyles.[4]

Recent history and present day

During the 20th century the condition of the church deteriorated and by the 1970s it was largely derelict. It was declared redundant in 1976,

freehold with effect from 5 December 1979.[6] By the time it was taken over, tiles had been removed from the roofs, stained glass designed by William Wailes had been removed, and the font was in the churchyard.[4] The organ dating from about 1860, designed by George Holdich, had also been removed.[5] During the next few years money was raised for repair and restoration, and the Friends of Papworth St Agnes was founded.[3][4] One surviving panel of stained glass was moved to the Stained Glass Museum at Ely Cathedral.[7] As part of the restoration, modern lighting was installed, and a kitchen and toilets were added.[3] Activities in the church were resumed in 2006, the font was returned to the interior of the church, and the stained glass window was also returned.[5] The church is now used as a community centre,[7] and services are occasionally held.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Historic England, "Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Papworth St Agnes (1331388)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 20 December 2013
  2. ^ a b Papworth St Agnes St John the Baptist, Friends of Friendless Churches, archived from the original on 1 July 2011, retrieved 20 July 2010
  3. ^ a b c d e Eveleigh, Peter (2000), St John the Baptist, Papworth St Agnes, Papworth Team Ministry, archived from the original on 25 June 2011, retrieved 20 July 2010
  4. ^ a b c d e f History, Friends of Friendless Churches, retrieved 20 July 2010
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7112-3154-2
  6. ^ Churches and chapels owned by the Friends of Friendless Churches: Details for Visitors, London: Friends of Friendless Churches, June 2010
  7. ^ a b Friends of Papworth St Agnes, Friends of Friendless Churches, retrieved 20 July 2010
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