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St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Location
(52°19′58″N, 2°21′34″W)
Bromsgrove
SO 756 706
pre-1974 traditional (England and Wales) Worcestershire
now Worcestershire
medieval Worcester
now Worcester
  • G. L. Pearson

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Feature Sets
Description

Built of red sandstone ashlar, the large church consists of a nave and chancel, both with N and S aisles, a W tower with spire, a porch and two vestries off the N side of the chancel. Restorations were carried out to the scheme of G.G. Scott in 1858-59. Only the E respond and the adjacent pier of the N nave arcade now bear Romanesque sculpture; this work was restored with the rest of the church in 1858-9.

History

In 1086 Bromsgrove was a royal manor, and the mention of a reeve and beadle suggests that it was then of some importance; a priest is also recorded at that time. There was apparently a borough at Bromsgrove in the 12th and 13thc. but its history is unclear. In 1232, Henry III granted the church to the prior and monks of Worcester.

Features

Interior Features

Arcades

Nave
Comments/Opinions

According to Cotton 1881, 12-13, the capitals and corbels of the N nave arcade were 'carefully restored' during the work of 1858-9. He notes the care taken to ensure that the new work was carried out according to the evidence that was found; all the new carving in the church was done by Irving of Leicester.

Bibliography
The Victoria History of the Counties of England. Worcestershire, vol.III, London 1913, 19-33, 28-31.
W.A. Cotton, Bromsgrove Church: Its History and Antiquities, London 1881.
N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England. Worcestershire, Harmondsworth 1968, 108-109.