At the side of Barlaston Hall
stands the older St John's Church. I say older as there is a new one further into the village.
This church was closed in 1980 after cracks appeared in the walls due to subsidence.
The earliest part of the church is the tower which dates from the 12th century. The rest of the church was rebuilt in 1888. There is also a modern vestry on the back which looks very 1960s.
It is locked up, of course, so I must see if it is ever open for guided tours. There are some memorials inside to the later Wedgwoods, whose factory is further along the road. This factory was moved from Etruria in the city of Stoke-on-Trent in 1940 and the hall, church, lake and grounds became part of the whole factory complex. The Wedgwood family never lived at Barlaston Hall but in a house built in 1845 for Josiah I's grandson, it is now a hotel called The Upper House.
In the churchyard is the Mason's Vault, burial place of the Mason family also potters and makers of the distinctive Mason's Ironstone China.
Miles Mason was the founder of the company.
There were many old grave stones in the churchyard, including some 18th century ones
It was all very overgrown although the grass had been mown on the south side of the church nearest the hall and paths cut through the tall grass on the other side.
The church clock is badly damaged
It all looks very neglected and forlorn.
Sad to see the old churches go.
ReplyDeleteIt is isn't it? It is quite dangerous due to the mining subsidence so I don't know if anything can ever be done about it to make it safe, I'd love to find out:)
DeleteWhat a beautiful old church and it it's so sad that it has fallen into such disrepair. It looks like the setting for many of the old movies in which there is a country wedding.
ReplyDeletePerhaps one day someone may do something about it. I don't really know who actually owns it, perhaps still the Church of England:)
DeleteThat looks like a lovely old church. Such a shame that there isn't money to renovate. Maybe a grant from the National Lottery good causes could help? It is upsetting to just let heritage slip through our fingers. I love the clock with its roman numerals and I bet the grounds are a great refuge for wildlife. x
ReplyDeleteI suppose it depends on what damage has been done and how much it would cost to make safe. I did wander if a bird had nested behind the clock face, it would be a safe place to be:)
DeleteThere are some interesting graves there, it's a pity that the church is being allowed to deteriorate especially when there are connections with well known local people. In the sunlight it actually looks rather attractive - a bit like the Secret Garden.:)
ReplyDeleteIt was rather overgrown and mysterious on the north side and full of wildlife too:)
DeleteSuch a beautiful church and so sad to see it falling into disrepair especially with all the history attached to it. The graves looks very interesting and I would imagine the churchyard is quite a haven for wildlife. Lovely photos Rosie.
ReplyDeleteI'd have loved to stay longer and read some of the other gravestones but a lot of them were badly weathered and quite illegible. There were lots of bees and hoverflies around the long grasses:)
DeleteWhat an interesting post Rosie. Don't think a church would be allowed to fall into disrepair in Jersey, but there seem to be quite a few in the uk. B x
ReplyDeleteI know it took a huge sum of money to shore up and make secure the hall so perhaps the church may be left or maybe it will receive some grants I don't know who owns it now:)
DeleteAren't the windows in the Hall fabulous. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are! It is an interesting place and is in private hands now:)
DeleteSuch a shame that the church has been left, so much history lost.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame, I hope that something will be done eventually. Someone is keeping one side of the churchyard tidy:)
DeleteI believe the previous owners of the Hall had an agreement with the British heritage that they would be allowed to use it as storage etc if they kept it in a good state of repair, But new owners took the hall on in 2020 so don't know who or what is the situation now.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update, I haven't been down there for ages. I hope it has been kept in good repair. Perhaps the 'National Churches Trust' or the 'Friends of Friendless Churches' might be interested if the new owners aren't? It would be a shame for it to go into disrepair and have to be pulled down.
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