St John the Baptist, Quinton

 Services in the month:

1st Sunday, All Age Service with refreshments at 10.45am.

2nd, 3rd, 4th Sunday, Holy Communion at 9.00am.

5th Sunday, Benefice Service usually at St. George's Wootton at 11am.

It is likely that there has been a church building within the settlement of Quinton since around 800AD. The greater part of the current building belongs to the thirteenth century period but is a development of a much earlier building, possibly the Tythe Barn, of which the south west angle and west window remain.

The original stone building probably had an aisleless Nave, approximately of the same size as at present, and during this time a tower and larger re-modelled Chancel would have been added.

During the fifteenth century the church was enlarged by the addition of a bellchamber stage to the tower and the Clerestory and new windows.

The greater part of the building as we see it today is the result of the major restoration undertaken during the incumbency of Edward Bayley in the late eighteenth century. At that time the church had fallen into disrepair, nay ruin, and it was only with Bailey’s enthusiasm and monies received from the Montagues, Lords of the Manor of Quinton, which enabled the restoration to happen. Using much of the old stone that was left from the ruin (much had been removed by opportunist thieves or the desperate poor) a narrower Chancel with lowered roof-line and a rounded east end was built with a new south porch.

Over the intervening 200 years the building has been cared for or left to decline in equal measure until the 1980s when it again received some tender loving care and that has continued through to today (2011) when you see the church in all its recently restored glory.

Contact;

Mike Crouch   Churchwarden   Phone: 01604-862096   Email: crouch505@tiscali.co.uk