Church of John the Baptist, Spalding, Lincolnshire

CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, SPALDING. This church, with vicarage-house and schools, of which we give an exterior view, is being built, by Miss M. A. Johnson, of Spalding. The architect is Mr R. J. Withers, of Adam-street, Adelphi. The church is built of the following materials:  Ancaster stone for the external walling, with Casterton stone dressings. The interior dressings, columns, caps, bases, and walling of the chancel are of Bath stone. The nave and aisle walls are finished with plaster. The roof is of waggon-shaped rafters, with the beams left open, and is constructed of deal. The seat benches in the chancel are of oak, those in the nave of deal. The fixed seats afford accommodation for 420 worshippers, and chairs are provided for 130, making a total of 550 sittings. The nave is 73 feet long, 26 feet wide, 30 feet high to top of wall plate, and 50 feet to ridge. The chancel is 16 feet long, 23 feet wide, 28 feet to top of wall plate, and 44 feet to ridge. The aisles are 10 feet wide. A vestry is provided on the south side of the chancel, with a choir vestry in a crypt under the east end of the chancel, the windows of which are shown in the view. The contract sum for the church is £7,057. The builder is Mr Huddleston, of Lincoln, and the clerk of works, Mr T. Leigh. [Building News 17 July 1874 page 82 and illustration]

CHURCH OF ST JOHN BAPTIST, SPALDING - The bounty of Miss M. A. Johnson, of Spalding, has lately enabled the Vicar of Spalding to create a new district, and to commence the erection of a church, parsonage and school in the outlying hamlet called Hawthorne Bank. The same generous donor also contributes largely towards the endowment. The works were entrusted to Mr R J Withers, architect, of No. 11 Adam Street, Adelphi, London; and the contract has been taken by Messrs Huddleston and Son, of Lincoln, as follows: church, £7,067; parsonage, £2,197; school, £1,097, Mr Leigh acting as clerk of the works. The church, of which we give illustration in this week's number, consists of a nave 73 feet by 26 feet; north and south aisles 73 feet by 9 feet 9 inches; chancel 30 feet by 23 feet; south porch, organ chamber, vestry, and crypt under chancel. The height of the nave is 30 feet to wall-plate and 48 feet to ridge; the chancel 28 feet to wall-plate and 44 feet to ridge. The materials employed are Casterton stone for external dressings, with Ancaster stone for walling, Corsham stone for all inside work, Sheffield blue stone for columns and window shafts; marble shafts being used to eastern triplets and to the reredos. The altar table is raised seven steps above nave, and the chancel will be fitted with stalls. The nave will be seated with open benches of pitch-pine to accommodate 420 adults, and 180 chairs can further be used when required. The roofs will be covered with Collyweston stone slates, with Cooper's red tile ridge. Messrs. Clayton and Bell have the three eastern triplets in hand as a commencement of decoration. The church is now nearly ready for the nave roof, and it is to be consecrated on 24 June 1875. [The Architect 18 July 1874 page 30]

SPALDING - The Church of St. John the Baptist, just erected as a district church, was consecrated on the 24th inst., by the Bishop of Lincoln. It has been previously described and illustrated in our pages. This church, and adjoining house and school, together with an endowment, are all the munificent gift of Miss M. A. Johnson, of Spalding, who has expended upwards of £25,000 on the same. All have been built from designs by Mr. R. J. Withers, architect. [Building News 25 June 1875 page 755]

SPALDING —The opening of the new church of St. John the Baptist, Spalding, took place on the 24th ult. The church is built from the designs of R. J. Withers, Esq., architect, London, and under the personal superintendence of Mr. T. Leigh, clerk of the works. The contractors were Messrs. Huddleston, builders, Lincoln. The cost, together with parsonage, the schools, and the endowment, amounts to nearly £20,000. The church is built in the Gothic style, and consists of nave, north and south aisles, and chancel. The length of nave is 73ft., and the total width (including aisles) is 51 ft. The chancel measures 36ft. in length and 23ft. in width. The outside walls are of chopped Ancaster, with Little Casterton stone dressings. The roof is covered with Collyweston slating and red Maidenhead ridge-tiles of two alternate patterns. The interior is of Bath and Sheffield blue stone. [The Building News. 9 July 1875 page 52-53]

The ecclesiastical parish of St John the Baptist was formed 1 December 1874 from the civil parishes of Spalding and Pinchbeck. The church at Hawthorn Bank, erected in 1875 by Miss Johnson at a cost of £12,000, from designs by R J Withers Esq Adam Street, Adelphi, London, is a building of stone, in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, crypt, vestry, organ chamber, south porch and turret containing a clock and two bells; there are4 50 sittings. [Kelly Directory]

Reference    Building News, 17 July 1874 page 82 with illustration
Reference    The Architect 18 July 1874 page 30 with illustration
Reference    Building News 25 June 1875 page 755 – consecration
Reference    Building News. 9 July 1875 page 52-53
Reference    Kelly Directory