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.
