The rediscovery of a hidden 19th-century family vault beneath the chancel of St. John the Baptist Church in Armitage revealed links to the Lister family of Armitage Park. Likely built by Thomas Lister (1772-1828), the vault adds a fascinating chapter to the church’s rich neo-Norman history.
Tag: Church
Problems for a Rector
The English Reformation reshaped religion in England, balancing Catholicism and Protestantism. Nathaniel Mansfield, Armitage’s Rector during the Puritan era, was ejected under the 1662 Act of Uniformity for refusing to conform to the Church of England, reflecting the turbulent national struggle over faith and governance.
The first issue of the Parish Magazine
The very first edition of Armitage parish magazine came out in January 1892,priced one penny. The rendition of the church on the front cover, shown below, is stated as being a woodcut owned by Miss Birch, of Armitage Lodge, and is from a photograph taken by Mr. H. Cecil Gardner, of The Towers. The parish… Continue reading The first issue of the Parish Magazine
The oldest item in the village
In the Anglo-Saxon, Norman and Medieval eras the main way of portraying Christian beliefs and stories was through imagery; most people couldn’t read and church services were held in Latin anyway. Ideas and beliefs were conveyed in wall paintings, stained glass, statues of wood and stone, carvings on the furniture, and on the walls and… Continue reading The oldest item in the village
Assault and battery in the church
On 20th August 1837 Mrs Mary Short was assaulted in St. John the Baptist church, Armitage