Blackford: St John the Baptist

Name:
Blackford: St John the Baptist
Record Type:
Church
Church code:
607039
Diocese:
Carlisle
Archdeaconry:
Carlisle
Parish:
St. John, Blackford

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?
This is a Grade II Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?
There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

The church is not in a Conservation Area

Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?
This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
 

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:
Victorian/Pre-WWI

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 607039 Blackford St John the Baptist
Caption:
Exterior image of 607039 Blackford St John the Baptist
Description:
Photograph of the exterior of St John the Baptist church Blackford taken 24 April 2008
Year / Date:
2008
Copyright:
Alexander P Kapp
Originator:
Alexander P Kapp

Summary Description

This small red sandstone and green slate roof church was built on a crossroads in a rural district where the settlement is sparse and spread over a wide area. The narrow pyramid steeple that sits on top of the bell turret with its stepped support buttresses presents a robust and pleasant landmark on the flat landscape of the Solway Plain. The church was designed in 1870 by Borough of Carlisle in Gothic Revival style using Decorated motifs and patterns including stylised ogee windows in the nave and chancel. The sides of the three light east window cuts into the spring points of the arch to create a peculiar and rather uncomfortable shape. The Chancel arch echoes this approach. The cusped curvilinear tracery of the east window is filled with plain glass bringing light into the chancel. This illuminates the rich magenta ceiling that is ornamented by metallic suns and shields that contrasts with the crisp white painted rafters, collar beams and carved infill panels. The painted reredos with its illuminated lettering adds to the charm of the chancel. The nave, well lit through lemon coloured tinted glass, is dull in comparison with its dark brown hammer beam roof sitting over unadorned white walls. The late C19 pulpit and eagle lectern introduce some interest into the space with the lattice timber door leading into the nave adding quality.

Visiting and Facilities

The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
 

Church Website

Church Website:
Work in progress - can you help?

Sources and Further Information

Alexander P Kapp (2008) Exterior image of 607039 Blackford St John the Baptist [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 607039 Blackford St John the Baptist
Alexander P Kapp (2008) Interior image of 607039 Blackford St John the Baptist [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 607039 Blackford St John the Baptist
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/12234/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 2 Bells [Archive/Index]
2 Bells