St John the Baptist

(Translated by Google) Nice and quiet place, a little dark at night. (Original) Lugar bonito y tranquilo , algo tenebroso de noche.
Sep 8th, 2022

A very pleasing church begun in the 13th century with a stout Norman church tower capped by a quirky 18th century cupola. The nave is light and airy (it certainly was on the very bright Summer's day when we came here). The interior is as beautiful as the exterior.
Jun 6th, 2022

Lost among the buildings, although the church is located on a hill, clean, tidy, small and well maintained
Aug 10th, 2021

Didn't go inside the church but enjoyed exploring the grounds in this lovely picturesque village which has its own little gift shop.
May 17th, 2017

St John the Baptists Church in idyllic village of Finchingfield was built in the 13th and 14th centuries from flint rubble. The unusual timber cupola topping the stout Norman tower is an 18th century addition, built to replace the previous spire fallen the previous century during a storm. Inside the church is light and airy, with clerestory windows through the nave and chancel. The rood screen separating the nave and chancel is 14th century. The nave is flanked by aisles on both sides. The Kempe Chapel caps off the North aisle and the Berners Chapel the South. The Kempe Chapel features several memorials including the 16th century tomb of Robert Kempe, and a memorial to prison reformer Sir Evelyn Ruggles-Brise. This chapel was also used as a school to teach young boys Latin. The Berners Chapel is dominated by the ornate tomb of Elizabeth Berners. The Purbeck marble slab features ornate brasses of Elizabeth and her husband John. John remarried after Elizabeths death and the year of his death is missing from his brass. The tiny fragments of coloured glass at the very top of the East window in the Kempe Chapel are all that remain of the medieval glass. 17th century vicar Reverend Stephen Marshall was a chaplain in the Parliamentarian army and invited the soldiers to smash all the stained glass. The West entrance at the base of the tower is a good example of Norman doorways, still featuring the original stone shafts and chevrons although the tympanum has been replaced with a memorial window.
Oct 30th, 2021