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 Norman and Gothic styles.
Tag: Armitage
From Hermit’s Haven to Parish Landmark: The Ancient Church of Armitage
Step inside St. John the Baptist Church as it appeared in the 1790s. Using Stebbing Shaw’s contemporary description, this reconstructed tour brings the medieval building to life, exploring its Romanesque doorway, ancient font, painted glass and other features lost during the nineteenth-century rebuilding.
A Historic Chapel’s Transformation: From Worship to Cannabis Factory to Home
Built in 1820 as a private Congregational chapel, this Grade II listed building has witnessed two centuries of changing fortunes. Drawing on architectural evidence, historical records and recent conservation work, this article traces its evolution from place of worship to neglected shell, its brief and extraordinary use as an industrial-scale cannabis factory, and its eventual rescue through sympathetic conversion into a family home.
John Webb, Landscape Designer to the Gentry
A weathered sandstone monument in Armitage churchyard marks the resting place of John Webb, one of the Midlands’ leading landscape designers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Researched by local historian Roy Fallows, this article traces Webb’s career from Derbyshire to the great country estates of England, revealing his work at places such as Shugborough, Weston Park and Teddesley before his final years at Lea Hall.
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.
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. This article traces the history of the church bells and the people who kept them ringing.
Discovery of a vault under the chancel of Armitage Church
In 2009, the accidental rediscovery of a hidden vault beneath the chancel of St. John the Baptist Church prompted an investigation into its origins. In this guest article, the late Harry Thornton traces the evidence behind the discovery and explains why the vault is thought to belong to the Lister family of Hawkesyard.
Armitage Lodge
Once one of the finest houses in Armitage, Armitage Lodge stood for centuries as the home of some of the parish’s most influential families. This article traces its evolution from its Tudor origins through its Georgian transformation and later ownership by figures such as Thomas Birch and Royal Doulton’s Cuthbert Bailey, before recounting its tragic destruction by mining subsidence in 1975. It is the story of a remarkable house that should still stand today.
The Towers
Evidence challenges the widely held belief that Rev. Francis Wilson built The Towers in the 1830s. Clues include architectural features, earlier property records, and stylistic differences from Wilson’s confirmed constructions. Historical auctions and renovations highlight the estate’s complex evolution, from a prominent residence to its varied uses in the 20th century.
Problems for a Rector
In 1662 the Rector of Armitage faced an impossible choice. To remain in office he had to publicly accept the restored Church of England, but to do so meant abandoning beliefs he held deeply. This article tells the story of Nathaniel Mansfield, the local minister who sacrificed his home, income and position rather than compromise his conscience.