St John the Baptist's Church, Llanrothal

St John the Baptist's Church is a redundant Anglican church in Llanrothal, Herefordshire, 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 Churches Conservation Trust.[2] It stands in a remote position close to the Wales–England border overlooking the River Monnow.[2]

St John the Baptist's Church, Llanrothal
St John the Baptist's Church, Llanrothal, from the northwest
St John the Baptist's Church, Llanrothal
Location in Herefordshire
51.8633°N 2.7701°W / 51.8633; -2.7701
OS grid referenceSO 470 185
LocationLlanrothal, Herefordshire
CountryEngland
DenominationAnglican
WebsiteChurches Conservation Trust
History
DedicationJohn the Baptist
Architecture
Functional statusRedundant
Heritage designationGrade II*
Designated25 February 1966
Architectural typeChurch
StyleNorman. Gothic

History

The church dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. During the 20th century the chancel and vestry were restored.[1] The church was vested in the Churches Conservation Trust on 1 April 1985.[3]

It has been suggested that the church was founded by the Celtic Saint Ridol (or Ryddol) and was re-dedicated to St John the Baptist only in the Norman period.[4] The church has been described as "one of the most isolated churches in Herefordshire" and is approached by a grassed track across two fields.[5] It lies a few hundred yards from the river.

Architecture

The exterior of the church has been rendered. Its plan is simple, consisting of a nave and a chancel, with a north porch, which was previously a vestry. In the north wall of the nave is a Norman round-headed window from the 12th century, and a window from the 13th century with a trefoil head. There are two windows similar to the latter in the south wall. In the south wall of the chancel is a large four-light window. The east window has two lights, with a circular window above. Inside the church is a 17th-century panelled pulpit, and a brass chandelier which was donated by Ivor Bulmer-Thomas.[1]

The font is a simple bowl on a narrow pedestal dating from the Norman period. It is decorated with a cross pattée, although there is no known association with the Knights Templar.[4] The altar is simple and consists of a stone slab resting on two blocks of stone.[4]

View of St John the Baptist's from the road

See also

References
  1. Historic England, "Church of St John Baptist, Llanrothal (1348962)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 19 December 2013
  2. Church of St John the Baptist, Llanrothal, Herefordshire, Churches Conservation Trust, retrieved 29 March 2011
  3. Diocese of Hereford: All Schemes (PDF), Church Commissioners/Statistics, Church of England, 2011, p. 3, retrieved 11 April 2011
  4. Ross, David, Llanrothal church, Britain Express, retrieved 19 December 2013
  5. "St John the Baptist, Llanrothal, Herefordshire" at churchcrawler.blogspot.co.uk
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