Nominal: 754 Hz Weight: 1340 lbs Diameter: 41" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Henry I Bagley 1640
Dove Bell ID: 2541 Tower ID: 10076 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Feckenham: St John the Baptist
Overview
Grid reference: SP 9 616
The Church is located on the northern edge of the village of Feckenham and stands within a large curvilinear churchyard, which extends to some 1.2 hectares (3 acres). The church is aligned east/west and has a traditional plan form with a squat square perpendicular west tower, four-bay nave with north aisle and two-bay chancel. The building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural and historic interest Grade II*.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 401 m²
Exterior Description
The lower part of the tower is of the C14th with a C15th belfry. The western angles are supported by diagonal buttresses of four stages. The walling of the tower to a line just below the belfry windows is of small coursed rubble with bands of larger stones, but above this line the larger stones predominate. The panelled battlements with short crocketed pinnacles (it is probable that these would originally have been higher) and the three light west window is Perpendicular. The bell chamber is lit to the east by a pointed window which has lost its tracery and is partially blocked by the head of the nave gable. Adjacent to this is a small pointed opening. Internally there is evidence of a similar opening on the west side. The other three windows or soundings are of two ogee lights under a square head. All of the windows are unglazed and fitted with louvres and internal shutters. There is evidence of a former doorway close to the south-east corner. The tower arch is tall and continuously double chamfered.
Building Materials
Sandstone
12th Century
Arden Sandstone
Interior
Interior Description
The Nave Arcade is believed to be C13th. It consists of four bays of pointed arches with circular columns, the bases of which are, with one exception, modernxi. The first and second columns have moulded bell capitals sadly mutilated, while that to the eastern respond has been re-cut. The bell to the third column is carved with typical 13th-century trefoiled leaves, and towards the south-west a crowned head; the capital to the west respond is similar, but its very overhanging bell has a filleted round for the top member instead of the leaves. The arches are decorated with a painted geometric pattern in red and black, a 1904 recreation of a medieval de-sign traces of which can be be seen on the lowest voussoir of the eastern arch (and possibly on the western arch). A photograph taken before the north aisle gallery was removed in 1903-04 shows no sign of the pattern. A possible explanation is that when the nave was reconstructed the arches were also reconstructed because the bases of the circular columns are with one exception modern.
The Chancel Arch is C14th. The Chancel was rebuilt by William Butterfield in 1852-3. In the north wall are two differing Norman windows, possibly reused and a low-side perpendicular window. The east window has three lights with a traceried head. In the south wall a C13 lancet and three-light intersecting window of c1300 and a further low-side perpendicular window. Opinions vary as to whether the windows are reused medieval features or C19th copies. Externally there are no buttresses or a plinth. In 1990 the previous tiled floor was relaid with mahogany blocks. A burial vault was revealed at this time.
North Aisle was originally constructed in the C13th but reconstructed in the C15th although much of the earlier walling was retained. The roof is possibly C16th. The three-light east window of the north aisle appears to be all of C15th date and is built in red sandstone, with vertical tracery in the head and a two-centred drop arch. Defective tracery was replaced in 1992 by Ben Davis. Most of the stonework of the first two north windows is modern, and both are of three lights with two-centred heads. The north doorway, like the south, has a pointed head, and appears to have been rebuilt with the old stones. The west and north-west windows of the aisle are each of two lights under a four-centred head and have been much restored. There is evidence of an earlier doorway or opening in the west wall of the aisle. Documents in the archive of the Incorporated Church Building Society suggest that there was an external vestry in the angle between the tower and north aisle. During work in 1990 to relocate the Font under the Nave Arcade, a brick built vault was revealed possibly Georgian in origin.
The bell frame is made of oak and was installed in 1842 by John Jacques of Gloucester, a bell hanger well known for constructing first class frames. This example of his work is an excellent one and consists of cills, main braces, long frame heads and corner posts. The pits are so arranged that no bells swing mouth to mouth. On the side of the frame is a brass plate on which is the following inscription: ‘John Jacques Junr / Church Bell-Hanger/ Gloucester / July 7th 1842.’ The canons on the fourth and sixth were removed, somewhat barbarously, during Barwells re-hanging and no doubt caused these bells to become cracked and, ultimately, the sixth to break into two pieces whilst being rung in 1960. Excepting the fifth and eighth, all other canons were removed in 1961. All the bells except the recast fourth and sixth have been quarter turned, though the tenor has been one eighth turned, and all were considerably tuned in 1961 to improve their harmonics. Evidence of earlier tuning by hand is visible on the fifth, seventh and tenor.
Fixtures and fittings
Bell Frame
1842
Maker
Joh Jacques
Pickford
Date
1842
Visit
CJP 8/72
Description
OFJ
Jurisdiction
Number of Bells
Material
Bells
Nominal: 1510.5 Hz Weight: 500 lbs Diameter: 26.88" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1866
Dove Bell ID: 20867 Tower ID: 10076 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1427 Hz Weight: 524 lbs Diameter: 27.5" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1866
Dove Bell ID: 20868 Tower ID: 10076 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1270 Hz Weight: 554 lbs Diameter: 28.63" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Thomas Rudhall 1776
Dove Bell ID: 20869 Tower ID: 10076 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1132 Hz Weight: 567 lbs Diameter: 29.13" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1961
Dove Bell ID: 20870 Tower ID: 10076 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1008 Hz Weight: 659 lbs Diameter: 31.5" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Henry I Bagley 1640
Dove Bell ID: 20871 Tower ID: 10076 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 952 Hz Weight: 731 lbs Diameter: 32.63" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1961
Dove Bell ID: 20872 Tower ID: 10076 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 847 Hz Weight: 913 lbs Diameter: 36" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1841
Dove Bell ID: 20873 Tower ID: 10076 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 9 616
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
Churchyard Structures
Cross
Medieval
South East of the Chancel
War Memorial
1920
Understood to be the work of the Bromsgrove Guild.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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