The Victorian Church

15th century and Victorian masonry at St. John the Baptist's church

Having briefly examined the visible mediaeval masonry at St. John the Baptist's church, where the local Carboniferous sandstone contrasts strongly with the “Rotherham Red” sandstone, a walk anti-clockwise around the church brings you to the west front.

Jurassic limestone dressings to the west door

When the sun shines on this elevation, the difference between the masonry of both the 15th century tower and the Victorian nave would probably not be noticeable to the casual observer, as both are pale in colour, with tinges of red and orange; however, the Victorian extension is essentially built from Permian dolomitic limestone. 

A view of the south aisle and porch

Although when it was built in 1897, the architect was probably just making a good technical and commercial decision when selecting Permian limestone ahead of “Rotherham Red” sandstone for the external fabric, he made a very deliberate artistic choice, when specifying an oolitic Jurassic limestone for the dressings.

A view of the south aisle and chancel

Continuing the walk around the constricted south side of the church, the same pattern is seen in the south aisle and the chancel – added in 1933 – but the porch provides a very interesting highlight, for anyone who is interested in the construction history of ancient buildings.

The Norman south door

Here, “Rotherham Red” sandstone walling is dressed with Jurassic limestone, with a traditional riven sandstone roof, and a highly decorated Norman south door, which was relocated during the building of the Victorian church. 

A detail of the Norman south door