St. John the Baptist, Shottesbrooke, Berkshire

Description

The church of St. John the Baptist, formerly collegiate, is a structure of flint with stone dressings, and for symmetry and beauty has few equals among English churches, being especially remarkable for the uniformity of its design, even down to the minor portions: it is a cruciform building in the Decorated style, consisting of chancel, nave, transept, south porch and central tower, with a light and elegant octagonal spire of graceful proportions and containing 5 bells: the interior was restored in 1852 under the superintendence of the late G. E. Street esq. R.A. architect: the founder's tomb, in the north transept, a truly beautiful specimen of Early Gothic, has resumed its ancient form: during the progress of the restoration fragments of Norman mouldings and arches were discovered: in 1905 an organ was erected in the south transept, and the transept separated from the nave by an oak screen, at the charge of Basil Guy O. Smith esq. as a memorial to his father, Augustus Oswald Smith esq.; there are 195 sittings.

Church Records

The register dates from the year 1566, on the first page of which is a complete list of the rectors of the parish from the year 1548.