St John the Baptist's, Hillmorton
A wonderful old church well worth exploring but less well known on the edge of suburban Rugby, I've known the church for years having grown up in the area, it was one of the first ancient churches I ever experienced as a child and it left a lasting impression.
Despite serving what is now a large suburb of Rugby the church retains a country feel, being cut off from the town by the main line between Birmingham and London, meaning it is completely invisible from Hillmorton itself. Normal approach is thus bizarrely through a tunnel under the railway line that leads to the churchyard!
It's a mainly 13th/14th century building, the west tower is of a rich red sandstone whist the body of the building has been patched up at various dates giving it an attractive unrestored patina. Inside is equally unspoilt, retaining a late Georgian feel with it's furnishings, Royal Arms and whitewashed walls (though oddly just chancel and south aisle have been scraped). Victorian glass is confined to two south aisle windows (including one strange piecemeal affair) and a single light in the chancel; the main east window with it's intersecting tracery is left plain.
The main items of interest here are the monuments, three medieval tombs and an elegant brass of a lady. Of the effigies the best is the early 14th century lady in the south aisle with wimple and canopy over her head. The nearby knight is more damaged whilst the 13th century priest under an arch in the north aisle (almost hidden behind benches) is badly mutilated.
This church is happily more accessible than it used to be and is normally kept open for visitors during the day.
St John the Baptist's, Hillmorton
A wonderful old church well worth exploring but less well known on the edge of suburban Rugby, I've known the church for years having grown up in the area, it was one of the first ancient churches I ever experienced as a child and it left a lasting impression.
Despite serving what is now a large suburb of Rugby the church retains a country feel, being cut off from the town by the main line between Birmingham and London, meaning it is completely invisible from Hillmorton itself. Normal approach is thus bizarrely through a tunnel under the railway line that leads to the churchyard!
It's a mainly 13th/14th century building, the west tower is of a rich red sandstone whist the body of the building has been patched up at various dates giving it an attractive unrestored patina. Inside is equally unspoilt, retaining a late Georgian feel with it's furnishings, Royal Arms and whitewashed walls (though oddly just chancel and south aisle have been scraped). Victorian glass is confined to two south aisle windows (including one strange piecemeal affair) and a single light in the chancel; the main east window with it's intersecting tracery is left plain.
The main items of interest here are the monuments, three medieval tombs and an elegant brass of a lady. Of the effigies the best is the early 14th century lady in the south aisle with wimple and canopy over her head. The nearby knight is more damaged whilst the 13th century priest under an arch in the north aisle (almost hidden behind benches) is badly mutilated.
This church is happily more accessible than it used to be and is normally kept open for visitors during the day.