St John The Baptist

C13 chancel and tower addition

Originally C13. The tower was built in the C15. John Keble (1792-1866) (one of the founders of the Oxford Movement in the Anglican church) was curate here. Keble College Oxford is named after him.

© Bikeboy

C15 belfry and alterations

Extensively restored late C12 round arched south doorway with 3 orders, keeled shafts having waterleaf capitals

C15 crenellated parapet with beast's head water outlet.

C19 restored traceried window to right of porch has small blocked C12 window to right with carved arched head depicting a demon pursuing a man.

Late C12; C13 chancel and tower addition; C15 belfry and alterations; extensive 1853-1868 restoration. Random rubble and ashlar limestone; stone slate roof. Nave with south tower and porch; north transept, vestry and chancel. Extensively restored late C12 round arched south doorway with 3 orders, keeled shafts having waterleaf capitals; 2 heavily undercut inner orders of chevrons. Hoodmould with beast head terminals. Ancient plank door with some early ironmongery. C19 parapet gabled south porch with Early English style pointed arch. Fragments of moulded nave string course; C15 crenellated parapet with beast's head water outlet. C19 restored traceried window to right of porch has small blocked C12 window to right with carved arched head depicting a demon pursuing a man. Reticulated tracery to west window in crenellated gable end. Two C19 restored Decorated-traceried north nave windows in buttressed wall. Decorated windows to north transept with crenellated parapet. Three stage south tower. Late C12 or early C13 base with clasping buttresses; blocked round arched south doorway; C19 east porch canopy below earlier weather moulding. Late C13 middle stage with 2 tall lancets to each face, blocked on west side, hoodmould being continuous rising over lancets. Second stage said to carry initials of John de Gamages, abbot of Gloucester 1284-1306. Perpendicular belfry with 2-light opening to each face with stone louvres; fine pierced parapet with crocket corner pinnacles carrying shields on outer faces. String course has 2 carved grotesque heads per face. Moulded length of parapet extends to north from tower linking with small sanctus bellcote. Plain Early English lancets to chancel, 2 to parapet gabled east wall; Tudor arched south priest's doorway. Catslide roof to north vestry. (Source:Historic England)

© Oswald Bertram

Late C12 or early C13 base with clasping buttresses

Late C13 middle stage with 2 tall lancets to each face, blocked on west side, hoodmould being continuous rising over lancets.

Second stage said to carry initials of John de Gamages, abbot of Gloucester 1284-1306.

String course has 2 carved grotesque heads per face.

Tudor arched south priest's doorway.

Of some interest is the C19 octagonal stone font with a Greek palindrome inscribed on the base.

SP1405 : St John the Baptist, Coln St Aldwyns - Font

© John Salmon

East stained glass windows commemorate John Keble's period as vicar here, 1782 to 1835, by Powell.

SP1405 : St John the Baptist, Coln St Aldwyns - Stained glass window

© John Salmon