St John Shobden

This week we go back to Herefordshire and St John's church which is on the Shobden court estate. A church has been on this site since the 14th century but the present church was rebuilt between 1749-1742. Below is an out like of the Wikipedia page but if you click the link you will be taken to the page dedicated to the church for a more in depth history
"Shobdon is famous for its church St John the Evangelist located north of the village. The original interior arches of the church were removed in 1756, being placed at the top of the adjacent hill as a folly where they still stand. The Shobdon Arches consist of a central chancel arch and two Norman doorways. The fine, though weathered, carvings are the work of the Herefordshire School of sculpture, which dominated in the western counties during the mid 12th Century. Tympana were once probably part of the original doorways. Shobdon Church is a hugely important work of architecture. It has a direct connection to Horace Walpole's Strawberry Hill in Twickenham and the members of the "Committee of Taste" which strongly influenced its design. Its amazingly intact interior and matching furniture are the sole example of this Walpolean Gothick style of Georgian church architecture and furnishing. 4 November 2013 saw the culmination of 12 years and £1.25 million of repair work to restore this unique "Strawberry Hill Gothic" Church. Nearby is the Shobdon Arches folly"
Now visiting this church was on my list but until I saw some photos it was not that high up. As my van was ready to collect from the garage it was having the work done this church was not far out of my way to visit. I was knocked out with what I saw and only sad I had not visited it sooner. Please enjoy you visit, sit back with a coffee and take it all in.

Your fist view of the church after parking nearby

The entrance to the churchyard is via this gate where I wandered around the South side of the church

Wandering over the far side shows a few monuments

Going around the North side you find some family graves

Over by the church are a few more

With a big vault beside the North wall

On which are the memorials to the people who are buried there

Most of the monuments are quite old

This one is around the South side
Both sited of the churchyard have very few  monuments or headstones to look at

This one looks like it dates back to the 1700's.

Right. Looking across the churchyard lawn

Back to the West end and the tower which has the door leading into the church

Inside you find a porch with stairs leading to a loft on the left 

with memorials on the wall to the right


















 

When you go through the door you come out under the balcony

What you see is a church full of painted pews, the like of which I have not come across before

The detail on the pews is wonderful

Walk on through the nave you come to the chancel and altar. The notice in front asks you not to go any further

Above you look at this beautiful stained glass window, the decoration is simple with no frills

To the left of the altar is this unusual pulpit

The access to is through this prayer desk

I have not come across a pulpit which is supported like this before

I did see if I could get in the pulpit but it was used for storing bits not needed in the church so this shot is as good as I could get

This view up the church to the balcony is just as impressive as looking the other way

A Open bible is on the lectern.

Left the window in the North chapel

Some wonderful coats of arms Bateman Family can be seen on the windows

A display in the chapel tells you how the church was restored

Details of the stained glass are shown also.

On the wall is a memorial listing the members of the Bateman family interred in the family vault

A memorial to Lord Spencer Stanley Chichester

A roll of honour can also be seen in the church

Under it was a beautiful display of lilies. You can find the ghost outline of a soldier who did not return

Looking around the church you find  many superb family memorials on the walls

There is a small South chapel where you can see an eagle lectern and some beautiful banners

By the South chapel is what I take is the original font. The one you see on the right is in the North Chapel and more modern

The older font has some nice detailing on the base

The one thing that does make you stand an look are the Gothic arches over the chancel and chapels

They are picked out in blue

The Pulpit has a wonderful carved  sounding board over the top 

The window sills are decorated with flowers and one still has a nativity scene

A final look at the balcony which shut off so I could not get a view looking down from it, more is the pity

I will leave you this week with a shot of the floral display on one of the window sills beside it a simple crown of thorns. The smell of the flowers in the church was amazing. You can read more about Shobdoncchurch in the link. 

Till next time have a peaceful weekend