Kings Norton St John the Baptist

kings-norton-x630

Perhaps the most beautiful church in the Midlands

Perhaps the most beautiful church in the midlands region and one of the finest parish churches in the whole of the England. This Gothic Revival Church started in 1760 was completed in 1761 by John Wing the Younger of Leicester and it is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. But let us start as I always do with some background information.
After the Norman Conquest in 1066 the manor of Kings Norton passed to the Earls of Leicester, then through various families until in 1600 the Whalley family acquired the large estate at Kings Norton and built the manor house. The Fortrey family then became the estate owners when William Fortrey inherited the estate from his mother a Whalley, and he was the builder of the present church. In the 20th century the land was sold to the Cooperative Wholsesale Society who then split the land and sold this to W.H Heard and Wyggeston’s Hospital. The village has always been small and the population is around 70 people today. It is nearly 7 miles south-east from Leicester in the rolling hills of rural Leicestershire.

kings-norton-3

The Georgian interior is mostly unchanged since the church was built

There was a previous church on the site which was maintained by the convent at Ouston and consisted of a nave, chancel, tower and north and south aisles. It fell into decay and the faculty granted for the work states that it was beyond economic repair and the foundations on the south side of the buildings steeple had given way. William proposed a new church and would pay for the building from his own funds which amounted to £20,000.
The driving force behind William’s passion was his interest for campanology (bell-ringing). In 1741 he had the nearby church at Gaulby rebuilt (see entry on this) with its ornate tower and pinnacles by John Wing the Elder who’s son would go on to build the church at Kings Norton. The church at Gaulby is perhaps the template for the later church at Kings Norton, both with their grand towers and in the Gothic style.

kings-norton-5

The west end Doric columns supporting the gallery and a fine view of the church

John Wing the Younger started the building work in 1760 and completed this the following year in 1761, however the spire took another 14 years to complete. The tower is built of brick with Ketton stone from Rutland as the facing material and this was used on the outside of the nave and chancel these being all in one. The church sits on a hill within the village and with the original tall spire it was bound to be struck by lightning which it was in 1843, the villagers raised £191 to restore it. Then on 13th May 1850 the spire was struck again, but this time there was extensive damage to the roof, structure and interior and it was felt best not to rebuild the huge spire and have any more strikes. The 18th century font was destroyed by the last strike as well as the organ and new items were installed. At the east end of the church in-front of the window there is a fine monument to William Fortrey and his mother.

kings-norton-west-end

Monument to William Fortrey

On the inside the beautiful large windows give plenty of light into the church which consists of a long high nave and chancel in one with a gallery supported by wooden Doric pillars at the west end. The Georgian interior is mostly untouched from the original build and the rich Norwegian Oak with the white washed plastered walls makes a most pleasing sight. On my visit parishioners were making the church ready for the Harvest Festival and the display of flowers and vegetables in-front of the grand three tiered pulpit has made for some great images.

kings-norton-pulpit

The Harvest Festival display in front of the fantastic pulpit

This church has to be one of the highlights of Leicestershire and Rutland, it is a beautiful building that you cannot but admire and this applies to the interior as well as the magnificent exterior. Even if you are not interesting in architecture or churches I am sure you would enjoy a visit to this church.
There is parking outside the church but access for wheelchair users is hampered by a flight of steps to the church. There are no facilities in Kings Norton itself but there is a public house at Illston on the Hill nearby. Also note the drive from Illston on the Hill to Kings Norton gives wonderful views of the church if you are coming from that direction. If you do visit this church also visit Gaulby nearby being the other church built by the remarkable William Fortrey. The church is open every Saturday from 14:00 – 16:00 during the summer months (May-end of August).

To see a transcription of the monuments inside and around this church go to the following link  (thanks to Toni Smith)

 

[nggallery id=45]
The church at Kings Norton is OPEN 2-4pm Saturdays Summer only from May onwards. More information here.
Address details –  St John the Baptist, Norton Lane, Kings Norton, Leics.  LE7  9BA 

 

Author: Chris Jones

Share This Post On

7 Comments

  1. Seeking information about Charles and Lillian Austin who lived at, I believe, The Limes, adjacent to church in 1926-1931. My father was their son and born there. We have family photo of the church from around that time

    Post a Reply
  2. Thank you very much for your interesting article on this amazing church that we chanced upon today. As you say it is a building of rare and outstanding beauty.
    What is less clear to me is why such a grand church was erected in the middle of nowhere? why did William chose to spend so much money for something that would not be more readily seen?

    Also the building was totally inaccessible today – a huge shame – but we shall return
    Thank you again for your article

    Post a Reply
    • I f you look to the right of the church you will see a large house my school friend lived there her name was also Dyer.Funny world isn’t it.ps it was a farm then 50s 60 s….

      Post a Reply
      • Was the house called The Limes? I visited the village in 2015 as my dad had been born there in 1916. The house and farm buildings were adjacent to the church and shared the boundary wall

        Post a Reply
  3. Stunning building and quietly reverential. Could not access building even though above article says it’s open on Sat Afternoons. does this mean it’s best to phone the key holder in advance of a visit?

    Post a Reply
  4. Sorry to hear it was closed, I will make some enquiries this week.

    Post a Reply
  5. Thanks for the very interesting article about Gaulby and Kings Norton churches. My brother and I were born in Gaulby and christened there. As a youngster I considered King Norton church to be a cathedral by its grandeur!

    Post a Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Leicestershire Walks: 8 mile Great Glen Round via Little Stretton. - […] The Church of St. John the Baptist is Gothic Revival Church that was built in 1761 by John Wing…

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share This