St John the Baptist's Church, Hartford
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| St John the Baptist's Church, Hartford | |
St John the Baptist's Church, Hartford |
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  Position of church within Cheshire
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| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hartford, Cheshire, England |
| Geographic coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Religious affiliation | Anglican |
| Rite | Evangelical |
| Province | Province of York |
| District | Diocese of Chester |
| Year consecrated | 1875 |
| Ecclesiastical status | Parish church |
| Leadership | Rev Mike Smith, vicar |
| Website | St John's Church, Hartford |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | John Douglas |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Year completed | 1889 |
| Construction cost | £12,508 |
| Specifications | |
| Height (max) | Around 70 feet (21 m) |
| Materials | Sandstone, red tile roof |
St John the Baptist's Church, Hartford is in the village of Hartford, Cheshire, England (grid reference SJ638722). It is a Grade II listed building[1] and is the parish church of of Hartford and Greenbank.[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
The first church on the site was consecrated in 1824. Following this the population grew and the church became too small. In 1873 it was decided that a new and larger church was needed. The new church was designed by John Douglas. The foundation stone was laid on October 29, 1873. The new church was consecrated by William Jacobson, Bishop of Chester, on 24 June 1875. At this time, the church consisted of the chancel and nave with its porches and the foundations of the tower. The tower, also designed by John Douglas, was then added and this was dedicated by William Stubbs, Bishop of Chester, on 14 April 1887. On 20 June 1897 a ring of six bells was dedicated. The total cost of the church was £12,508. In the 1920s a choir vestry was added to the east wall. In 1990 the church pipe organ was replaced by an electronic organ. In 1993 the roof was refurbished and during the following year the pews were replaced by chairs.[3] In 1997–98 an extension was added to the west end of the church to provide extra seating, toilets and a kitchen.[4]
[edit] Structure
The church is built in buff sandstone with red sandstone dressings and a red tile roof. Its plan consists of a five-bay nave with clerestory, north and south aisles, a two-bay chancel with a vestry to the south and a chapel to the north, north and south porches and a west tower. The tower is in four stages with a stair turret at the southwest corner which rises higher than the tower. The parapet is embattled.[1] The tower is around 70 feet (21 m) high.[5] Internally the plaster and wooden reredos depicts the Last Supper in a Gothic gilded setting.[1] Pevsner describes the interior as being "altogether interesting", commenting particularly that the two sides of the chancel are different.[6] The main entrance to the church is now though the new west extension to the church.[5]
[edit] Today
The church continues to be an active parish church in the Evangelical tradition[2] and regular services are held.[7] There is a variety of church groups[8].
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Images of England: Church of St John, Hartford. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ a b St John's Church, Hartford. St John's Church, Hartford. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ St John's Hartford - origins. St John's Church, Hartford. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ St John's Hartford - the Church Centre. St John's Church, Hartford. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ a b St John's Hartford - a guided tour. St John's Church, Hartford. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus; Edward Hubbard [1971] (2003). The Buildings of England: Cheshire. New Haven: Yale University Press, 234. ISBN 0 300 09588 0.
- ^ Service Times. St John's Church, Hartford. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ Church Groups at St John's. St John's Church, Hartford. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
