Church of St John the Baptist, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire

S. JOHN BAPTIST, GREAT AMWELL, HERTS — This church, remarkable for its original round-ended apsidal chancel, is restored and re-arranged, with the addition of a north aisle, by Mr Withers. It has been unavoidably necessary to remove the original ugly and narrow Romanesque chancel-arch, which wholly blocked sight and hearing. A Pointed arch with its mouldings dying off on the pier-jambs — neither a usual nor very allowable arrangement for this situation — is substituted. The internal arrangements are good, the chancel being stalled, and the prayers read from the westernmost stall on the south side. The windows are restored and renewed in good style, and the low tower with embattled parapet receives a light tapering banded spire. The tower-arch is furnished with a high open screen, while there are only low screens, without gates, for the chancel. A First-Pointed unequal triplet had been unfortunately introduced before Mr Withers was consulted. The altar stands, we observe, against the east wall instead of near the chord of the apse. The details are careful, the woodwork being copied as far as may be from the existing remains. The restoration of this curious church is very judiciously treated. The new north aisle is of good Middle- Pointed, and its side windows are square- headed, their tracery being perhaps rather too formal. [Ecclesiologist June 1858 page 202]

In drawings 154-156 R J Withers exhibits his proposed restoration of the church at Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, which has a pretty apsidal chancel dating from the 12^th century. Beyond this there is not much to notice. The new fittings are throughout in good taste. [Civil Engineer and Architects’ Journal 1858 page 143]

Reference    Ecclesiologist June 1858 page 202
Reference    Civil Engineer and Architects Journal 1858 page 143 – Architectural Exhibition
Reference    Buildings of England: Hertfordshire,  page 150
Image         survey drawings 1857, RIBAD