St. John the Baptist Church Tower

Introduction

St. John the Baptist Church features a prominent west-end tower, a characteristic found in approximately two-thirds of Staffordshire’s churches. Unlike the rest of the church, which was completely rebuilt in the 1840s, the tower remains largely original. Its history and modifications reflect centuries of structural adaptation and evolving architectural needs.

1632 Reconstruction & Inscriptions

The south side of the tower, facing Church Lane, originally bore the inscription “1632” along with the names “Thomas Ames and Robert Swanne, Churchwardens,” though this is now obscured by the clock face. The west side, beneath the clock, displays the name “Thomas Trubshaw,” likely the stonemason responsible for the tower’s construction, as the Trubshaw family of Haywood was known for their masonry work. Records indicate that by 1533, the church had two bells and a dedicated bell tower, suggesting that the current structure was rebuilt in 1632.

Architectural Features

Externally, the tower consists of a single stage with battlements at the top. It is supported by diagonal buttresses at the northwest and southwest corners, which diminish in size as they rise, terminating just below the parapet. Each corner is further accentuated by a pinnacle. Internally, the tower comprises three levels: a ground floor, a middle chamber, and a bell chamber.

Bells and Their Modifications

Originally, the church had two bells, which were replaced in 1727 with three new ones, necessitating modifications to the bell frames. A 2001 survey suggested that these changes—or later repairs—were made by carpenters unfamiliar with traditional bell frame construction. For example, bell wheels, which are typically built in two halves for easier installation, were constructed as single pieces, requiring them to be taken into the belfry and assembled there.

In 2001, the bell chamber underwent another significant update. Three additional bells were installed, bringing the total to six, and a completely new frame and fittings were introduced. Previous attempts to stabilize the bell frame with wedges had inadvertently caused damage by turning the frame into a battering ram against the tower’s structure.

1818 Renovations

By 1818, the church required extensive repairs, including major modifications to the tower. The ground floor was repurposed to also serve as a vestry, and a staircase was installed to provide access to both the newly created singing loft and the bell chamber. The tower’s roof was removed, a new wall plate was installed to evenly distribute the weight of the new roof, and the roof was reconstructed.

To improve acoustics and ventilation while protecting the interior from the elements, louvered windows were added. Each side of the bell chamber received a double-light louvered window, while the middle chamber—except for the east side—was fitted with single-light louvered windows. The north-facing middle chamber louvered window has since been replaced, (Figure 1).

The stone west tower of St John the Baptist Church, Armitage, rebuilt in 1632, showing its battlements, louvred bell-chamber windows and narrow round-headed window below. At its base is a projecting stone stair turret with a small wooden door.
Figure 1

The tower’s external stonework was repaired and repointed using barrel lime, a flexible material that allows moisture to evaporate, preventing water damage. Over time, it also reabsorbs carbon dioxide from the air, aiding in the natural repair of small cracks.

1845 Church Rebuild & Tower Modifications

While the main church was entirely rebuilt starting in 1845, the tower was only modified. The lower section was remodelled by inserting a new arch between the nave and the tower, (Figure 2), and the original west window—a single round-headed design—was replaced with a three-light window in the same style as the nave, (Figure 3). A drawing from the time, available on the Staffordshire Past Track website, confirms the earlier window design.

Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

The false ceiling installed in 1818 was not replaced in 1845, leading to the removal of the stairs at the base of the tower. However, to maintain access to the upper floors, a small adjacent tower was built, (Figure 1). Originally featuring a circular staircase, most of these stairs were later removed to accommodate a heating system, (Figure 4).

Given that the base of the middle chamber dates from this period, it is possible that the tower originally had only two stages.

Current Day Condition & Restoration Efforts

A 2001 inspection revealed numerous changes made to the bell chamber and frame over the years. The most significant issue was the introduction of wedges around the bell frame (Figure 5), which had caused structural damage by restricting movement. Additionally, the inner face of the tower had been reinforced with bricks (Figure 6), and some exterior stones had been replaced (Figure 7). The damage to the tower was caused by the wedging of the frame which then acted as a battering ram.

Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7

Despite these challenges, restoration efforts continue to preserve the historical integrity of St. John the Baptist Church’s tower, ensuring that it remains a lasting feature of the Staffordshire landscape.

Related posts:

  1. Ringing Through the Centuries: The Story of St. John the Baptist Church Bells For nearly five centuries the bells of St. John the Baptist Church have marked the rhythm of village life. From the two bells recorded in 1553 to the six-bell ring heard today, their story reflects changing technology, war, restoration and the determination of local people to preserve a cherished tradition....
  2. A House of Two Gothics: Hawkesyard Explained Hawkesyard did not arrive fully formed. It grew by addition and adaptation, shaped by changing taste, belief, and circumstance. From Lister’s ordered Georgian Gothick to Spode’s confident Victorian Gothic, the house records how architecture, like family history, is built in layers rather than moments, across generations and acts of ambition...
  3. Restoring Faith: The Resilient History of St. John the Baptist Church By the mid-18th century, St. John the Baptist Church faced the toll of centuries of wear. Essential repairs began in 1752, restoring the roof and steeple, but by the 1840s, larger reconstruction was necessary. With the population growing and the church in disrepair, the nave and aisles were rebuilt, blending...
  4. Lodge Cottage Lodge Cottage in Armitage reveals centuries of history, from its 15th-century cruck-frame origins to intriguing features like a coffin chute and witch marks. Once part of the Armitage Lodge estate, this Grade II-listed building embodies architectural evolution, local folklore, and careful preservation. ...

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