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St John's Church in early spring
A HISTORY OF ST.JOHN’S CHURCH
A HISTORY OF ST.JOHN’S CHURCH
The precise date of the Church's construction is unknown, though it predates 1150. Tradition suggests it was built during the reign of William Rufus (1087-1100). Its dedication to "St. John" leaves ambiguity as to whether this refers to St. John the Baptist or St. John the Apostle and Evangelist.
The first recorded Rector, Ricardus Brione, was appointed in 1294. Lacking a definitive construction date, the village celebrated the 700th anniversary of this appointment in 1994. Coinciding with St. John the Baptist's Day on June 24th, a week-long festival marked the occasion.
St John's Architecture
St John's Architecture
West Grimstead's church boasts several noteworthy architectural elements. The two pillars and arches north of the nave, dating back to the 14th century, display a striking alternating red and white construction using Chilmark stone and brown heathstone.
Also from the 14th century, the east window is of particular interest, featuring three trefoil-headed lights and a cinquefoiled rear arch forming a canopy—an unusual design. The only other original windows are located in the north and west walls of the north aisle. These 15th-century windows each have two lights with trefoiled heads, a typical style of the period. The stained glass in the east window dates to the early 20th century, while the stained glass in the east window of the south aisle was commissioned to commemorate the 1994 celebrations of the 700th anniversary. This window depicts the Tree of Life.
St John’s Church in the snow.
Photo by Peter Ford.
While West Grimstead's church has seen alterations over the centuries, it thankfully avoided the extensive and unsympathetic Victorian restorations that many churches endured. Unfortunately, the interior walls were coated with a thick layer of hard, grey concrete, creating a somber atmosphere. This changed in 1992 when the walls were painted with white oil-bound distemper, and combined with new lighting and other improvements, the church became a brighter and more welcoming space.
The beautifully carved pulpit is likely Jacobean, though it could be late Elizabethan. The Communion table frame also dates to the 17th century, although the top is later. The font bowl is Norman, but it rests on a 19th-century base. An 18th-century lectern with a swivel desk top exists, but the lectern currently in use dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. In the vestry, an old altar table, believed to be Tudor, is preserved. Also in the vestry is a grotesque beast's head, likely brought to the church from elsewhere. It may be a "Sheila-na-gig," a pagan fertility symbol, though its presence in a Christian church is unclear, despite similar examples existing in other churches across the country.
In the center of the nave lies a large slab, which once held a small brass figure of a woman in a pointed headdress. (The brass was likely removed during the Cromwellian era.) The Latin inscription around the slab's edge is difficult to decipher, but enough can be read to reveal that the stone commemorates Alicia, daughter of Sir John Lye of the Isle of Wight and wife of John Mompesson of Bathampton.
A painted panel displaying the Royal Arms and the Arms and Motto of Queen Anne is present in the church, though its origin and how it came to be there remain unknown.
In the early 18th century, a brick tower replaced a wooden belfry at the west end. This tower houses two bells. The older bell, installed in 1712, bears the inscription "J.T. and S.E. churchwardens cast me." The second bell, added in 1815, is inscribed "James Wells, Aldbourne, Wilts fecit 1815."
The main roof beams, dating back to the 14th century, are made of durable Spanish chestnut. However, other timbers were not as resilient, necessitating a major repair and restoration project in 2000.
During the tower's construction, the north and south doors (positioned opposite each other, supposedly to allow the devil to pass through the church) were blocked, and windows were installed in their place.
Church registers and other documents are stored in an iron chest made in Bramshaw, New Forest, in 1813. The older registers, dating from 1717, have been moved to the County Archives in Trowbridge for preservation, as required by law. Record books from the early 19th century were in use until their transfer to the County Archives in 1983.
Edward Hutton, in his "Highways and Byways of Wiltshire," described West Grimstead's church as "a little old church, very reverent and homely and still. The whole humble building is worth a close and loving inspection and is a delight on a lonely road.”
For those wishing to visit the church, please contact Mr. Malcolm Read, Churchwarden, at 710302, as the church is kept locked for insurance purposes.
Further architectural details can be found in "Churches of South-East Wiltshire," compiled by the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England and published by H.M.S.O. in 1987.
West Grimstead had a church school from the mid-19th century. The original building was a small, single-room structure without running water or toilets, accommodating children aged 5 to 14. After World War II, two mobile buildings were added behind the Village Playing Field, providing three classrooms, toilets, and a small office shared by the head teacher and secretary. The original building was then used for physical activities and school meals.
These conditions were inadequate for modern educational needs, and the buildings were in poor condition. Furthermore, the number of primary school children in the village had decreased, with numbers only maintained by children from neighboring Whaddon.
It was ultimately decided that a new church school for West Grimstead and Alderbury would be built in Alderbury, as both existing schools were substandard. This decision was difficult, and the loss of the school was deeply felt. However, the church and local authorities built a well-designed school in Alderbury with improved facilities, playgrounds, and playing fields. The school has been very successful, requiring the addition of an extra classroom. This expansion was facilitated by the school's design, avoiding the need for temporary buildings.
The alternative to this new school would have been busing primary school children to Salisbury, as the existing schools would have been closed regardless.
St. John's Church is part of the Clarendon Team, a group of eight churches including Alderbury, East Grimstead, Farley Pitton, West Dean, West Grimstead, Whiteparish, and Winterslow.
Service times and types may vary; current information can be found in the village magazines, "The Fountain" and "Village Life."
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) consists of two Churchwardens, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Electoral Roll Officer, and four other members.
Church members are actively involved in the church's upkeep. They participate in cleaning and flower arranging rotas, maintain the churchyard through a grass mowing rota, and handle all routine tasks. While church members contribute to village life in various ways, non-churchgoers also assist with these church duties. Volunteers are always welcome.
Two magazines serve the community. "The Fountain," covering Alderbury, West Grimstead, and Clarendon, is published monthly and costs £2 per year. "Village Life," specific to West Grimstead, includes news, gardening articles, nature notes, and other items of general interest. Funded by advertisements, it is distributed free to every home in the village. Both magazines are delivered by church volunteers.
Church members are integral to village life. Two church members serve on the Village Hall Committee, and other committee members are also affiliated with the church. Church members frequently volunteer at hall functions.
Church members are typically represented on the Parish Council.
In this small village, news of illness or hardship spreads quickly, and clergy and lay members of the congregation offer visits and support, unless such contact is declined.
New residents are welcomed by church members with an information leaflet about the village and copies of "The Fountain" and "Village Life."
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