For this church:

Introduction

Location

History

Archaeology

Fittings

Glass

Organ

Bells

Clock

Stonework

Monuments

War Memorial

Churchyard

References

Pictures

Plans

Listing Description

List of Incumbents

Parish page

Collingham
St John the Baptist

Archaeology

South Door

Modern door dating from 1907. It replaced a door dating from 1641 which had strap hinges.

North Aisle

North arcade

Detail of arcade

This is the oldest part of church, probably incorporating fragments of an earlier building, and dates approximately to the mid 12th century. It was restored in 1890.

There is very fine Norman zigzag chevron ornamentation is on the westernmost arches, similar to that found at nearby South Scarle.

At the east end of the North Aisle is a monument to Francis Meering who died in 1573.

South Aisle

The south arcade

The south arcade is a good example of Early English work, c1250.

Nave

Panoramic view of the nave looking west

Carving of a monster on the north arcade

Large clerestoried Norman-Early English Nave. The weather moulding of the medieval roof, which was once of a different pitch to the present one, can be seen on the west wall above the tower arch. Its height has clearly been altered several times as brackets for a later roof still survive below the clerestory. The clerestory was added in the 15th century.

On the north side of the nave can be found a gruesome carving of a monster swallowing a man, still retaining traces of blue paint.

Chancel

The chancel looking east

Recess in the north wall

Dates from the 14th century. On the north side by the altar is an ogee-headed recess, sometimes thought to be an Easter Sepulchre but is in fact a blocked up doorway which once led to a vestry or chapel.

On the south side of the sanctuary is to be found a low transom window dating from the 14th century and at one stage this had a shutter affixed. It is believed that the purpose of this window was to allow people with infectious diseases receive Communion or make their confessions without needing to enter the church and place the priest or their fellow parishioners at unnecessary risk of infection.   

Mass Dials

Mass dials on a south wall buttress

Crude examples of early Mass dials, similar to sundials but used to denote the time of services can be found on the south-facing exterior of the chancel and also, unusually, just inside the south door. These are similar to sundials but were used to denote the times of services.

Tower

The tower from the south-west

The two lower stages of the tower are Early English, the upper stage was clearly the former belfry; the top stage, the present belfry, is Perpendicular with 15th century pinnacles.

Technical Summary

Timbers and roofs

	NAVE	CHANCEL	TOWER
Main	Tie beams and king posts with braces, moulded wall plates, ridge and side purlins, with cusped wind braces between principal rafters; central bosses. All probably 1890.	Pitched, common rafters with narrow ties between diagonal matchboarding to pitches, all C19th.	Heavy central tie beam with secondary tie and right angles, diagonal bracing to centre with raking braces to angles, and raking principal rafters between. Wide boarding above with some later repair. All appears medieval, C15th.
S.Aisle	Low pitched, boarded, with principal rafters and purlins; all C19th	n/a
N.Aisle	Low pitched, boarded, with principal rafters and purlins; all C19th.	n/a
Other principal	S.porch: pitched plain rafter roof, C19th.		Intermediate tower floors probably C20th.
Other timbers

Bellframe

Bellframe: cast-iron, 1954 by Taylors of Loughborough, Pickford Group 8.3.B, cast-iron pedestals mounted on steel girders, with side sections of 'X' braces

Not scheduled for preservation Grade 5.

Walls

Excavations and potential for survival of below-ground archaeology

No known archaeological excavations have been undertaken.

The fabric dates principally from the C12th to the C15th with some later restoration. There were restorations in 1886 and 1890. The majority of the medieval fabric remains intact and the Romanesque north aisle arcade, whilst probably partially restored, is impressive. The tower roof is largely intact from the C15th with impressive timbers; the roofs in the body of the church are all C19th replacements.

The churchyard is trapezoidal in shape, with an extension to the N.E.. The church is positioned to the east of the churchyard. There are burials on all sides except the east.

The overall potential for the survival of below-ground archaeology in the churchyard is considered to be HIGH-VERY HIGH comprising medieval construction evidence, perhaps structural features, burials, and landscaping. Below the present interior floors of the church it is considered to be HIGH-VERY HIGH comprising medieval-C19th stratigraphy with post-medieval burials. The archaeology of the upstanding fabric throughout is medieval and its archaeological potential is HIGH-VERY HIGH.

Exterior:Burial numbers expected to be average.

Interior: Stratigraphy under the entire building is likely to be medieval with later layers and restoration evidence. In the body of the church the stratigraphy is likely to be punctuated by medieval and post-medieval burials.