Friends of Barnack church 2005

Friends of Barnack Church

THE HISTORY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, BARNACK

The history of Barnack Church spans many centuries and begins in the time of Anglo-Saxon England, before the Norman Conquest.

The church which now stands represents many periods of English architecture, although it is constructed almost exclusively of a single building material, Barnack Stone.

The oldest part of the church is the tower, the lower two stages of which date from about 1000 AD. The octagonal belfry and spire were added some two hundred years later. The tower has a number of typically Saxon features, the pilaster strip work, a sundial, a carved panel and three carved birds. Inside, the tower opens to the nave by a magnificent Saxon arch.

The nave is of the late 12th, and early 13th, centuries. The pillars, which have finely decorated capitals, support three rounded arches on either side opening to North and South aisles.

At the end of the long 14th century chancel is the large East window, subdivided by fine stone tracery into five lancet-shaped lights. Between chancel and nave is an elaborate rood screen.

To the North of the chancel is a fourteenth century chapel containing effigies of a cross-legged knight, thought to be Geoffrey de Bernac, and of Margaret Vincent, wife of John Vincent, who was Lord of the Manor in the early 15th century.

The Lady Chapel was built at the beginning of the 16th century. It is notable for two carved niches of the same period, one of which contains a contemporary sculpture of the Immaculate Conception that has survived desecration.

In the North aisle there is a splendid carving of Christ in Majesty which was found in the floor of the church some seventy years ago but which is thought to date from Saxon times. The font is of the 13th century and is also finely carved.

The stained glass is all comparatively modern but reflects a number of different styles. Among the plate is a communion cup and cover of 1569.

As a Millennium project the church brought the bells back into use. This entailed strengthening the tower and having a new bell cast at Taylor’s Bell Foundry in Loughborough The six bells, the oldest of which was cast in 1450, are now rung on most Sundays and festival days.

Thus it may be seen that the history of the church is a microcosm of the history of England during the last ten centuries. It represents, too, the devoted care of the rector and people of the village who have kept the church in good order for a thousand years.

The Friends seek to continue this tradition by stimulating interest in the church and preserving its beauty for future generations and, during the first 18 years of existence have contributed over £20,000 to this end.
Projects financed or assisted by the Friends include Flood Lighting, New Guide Book, cleaning of the Chancel Ceiling, Lightning Conductor and the repair of the Salviati Mosaics below the east window.

The Friends of Barnack Church seek to continue this tradition by stimulating interest in it and preserving its beauty for future generations. During the first 18 years of existence The Friends have contributed over £20,000 to this end.

HISTORY OF THE FRIENDS OF BARNACK CHURCH

The Birth of “The Friends”
During 1985 the old church central heating system was ripped out and a new state of the art system installed. This had been anticipated some years previously and as the church funds were practically non-existent a special Heating Fund was set up and a 200 Club launched as its principal source of income.

It had been decided when starting the 200 Club that it would be closed down as soon as the new heating system was paid for but, at about the same time in 1986, a group of parishioners was discussing the possibility of forming a Friends of Barnack Church to provide finance to assist in repairing the fabric of the church or enhancing its beauty, and this seemed the perfect time to launch the Friends and take over the 200 Club as a major source of funds.

Next came the legal problems. We had to draw up a constitution and we had to submit a case to the Charity Commissioners to be registered as a charity. We originally based our constitution on one used by a Sussex church, but this was turned down by the Charity Commissioners. After a lot of re-writing and re-wording and with a great deal of help from Messrs Daltons of Stamford and the Charity Commissioners themselves, we eventually became a registered charity with all the attached financial advantages.

To date the Friends have either totally financed, or assisted with: Floodlighting, new Church Guide, repair to roof timbers, cleaning the painted chancel ceiling, the installation of the lightning conductor and the repair of the Salviati Mosaics below the east window.

The constitution states that the object of the charity is to “further the preservation and adornment of the church of St John Baptist, Barnack”, I feel that this is exactly what the Friends have done and will continue to do in the years to come.

Ian Graham

Membership of The Friends of Barnack Church

The “Friends” organisation was started in 1986 by a group of local people who were aware of the ever-increasing cost of maintaining the fabric of a church, part of which is over 1000 years old. We knew that Barnack church was celebrated beyond the boundaries of our parish, and that consequently we might be able to recruit help from further afield.

Thus our primary objective is to raise money to be able to support the PCC in caring for the fabric of the building, but a secondary purpose is to foster interest in local history, firstly of the church, but also the village and surrounding area. To this end we have organised visits to places of interest. We have for example visited many cathedrals, also St. John’s College Cambridge and Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire. From time to time we arrange learned lectures on subjects of local or general interest. This year we will visit Elton Hall, the home of the Proby family, in May, and a lecture evening is planned for the autumn.

We run a 200 club, which is our primary source of income, but we have also produced small souvenir items for sale, such as pencils and telephone notepads, and we have helped promote items like Christmas cards and pens produced by the PCC.

We publish a journal that appears each spring and contains “Friends” news together with articles of general interest, and we are always keen to welcome new members. Our membership secretary is Mr. Ian Graham, Chapel Orchard, Pilsgate, PE9 3HH.

FRIENDS OF BARNACK CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

To download a membership application form:

Click here

Or contact our membership secretary: Mr. Ian Graham, Chapel Orchard, Pilsgate, PE9 3HH.

200 CLUB MEMBERSHIP