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Home Podcasts Mayflower 400 historical research – audio about St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire

Mayflower 400 historical research – audio about St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire

Published: 27th June 2018 · Last update: 22nd June 2018

As part of the Mayflower 400 project we have been completing historical research around the UK. One of our topics has been the Reformation and its impact on local churches.

We recently went to look at 6 churches with Roger Wilson, an expert in Church history, to see how they have changed over the last 400+ years.  The churches we visited were spread across Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.

The fourth church we went to see was St John the Baptist in Kings Norton in Leicestershire which is without doubt one of the most beautiful churches in England especially when viewed in the distance over rolling Leicestershire countryside.

St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire historical research

It is equally stunning when looked at close up.

St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire historical research

This is a Gothic Revival Church built in in the 1760s by John Wing for the Lord of the Manor William Fortrey. It cost £20,000 (equivalent to £3.5m in 2018).

Inside is a simple design reflecting the strong Georgian Anglicanism style. It is single lofty rectangular room with a loft space over the single door at the west end. There is little wall decoration. The windows are large with elaborate stone and ironwork but without stained glass.

Georgian Anglicanism style

The woodwork is Norwegian Pine. The whole being simple, crisp and clean.

Georgian Anglicanism style Norwegian pine

The pulpit is a triple decker – the first I have ever seen – central at the east end nave. Low level gates provide the demarcation between the nave and chancel. The lower deck is for the clerk. the reading pew is in the middle and the top is for the congregational leader.

St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire pulpit

St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire pulpit

The gallery is supported by wooden Roman Doric columns and match those of the top tier in the pulpit.

St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire gallery

It is likely that the original organ was located on the gallery but was destroyed when the spire collapsed after being struck by lightning. A new organ was installed in 1850s in its presentation location in the box pews.

St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire organ

The alter rail is simple but has high quality Gothic style carving which matches the windows as a decoration.

St John the Baptist, Kings Norton, Leicestershire altar rail

In the churchyard is a memorial to William Fortreys parents – William and Anne. A photograph of a picture of the Fortrey family hangs below the gallery.

memorial William and Anne Fortrey historical research

Fortrey family historical research

 

http://www.focusbiz.co.uk/audio/KingsNortonChurch.mp3

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