Catholic Church of St John the Baptist

The Catholic Church of St John the Baptist in Alton is a historic building in Staffordshire Moorlands, England. It is an early work by Augustus Welby Pugin, a leading Gothic Revival architect, and is Grade II* listed.

How did the church come about?

The church was begun around 1839-40 as the chapel of a larger charitable complex, the Hospital of St John the Baptist. It was commissioned by John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, a well-known Catholic patron. Pugin reportedly planned the scheme to house elderly priests while also serving as a school. The church was consecrated on 13 July 1842.

A full, permanent hospital foundation never materialised, as Pugin did not persuade the Earl to establish one. After the last Catholic Earl died in 1856, the site became a boys' school. In 1932 the former chapel became Alton's parish church.

What does the building look like?

The church is built in an early Gothic Revival style drawing on English Perpendicular Gothic. It has a four-bay nave, a three-bay chancel, an oratory and a side chapel. The nave originally worked as a schoolroom, divided from the chapel by wooden doors, which neatly shows the dual purpose of the whole complex.

What is worth seeing inside?

Several valuable features survive in the interior:

• carvings by Thomas Roddis,
• stained glass by Paul Woodroffe,
• floor tiles by Herbert Minton in the north chapel.

Changes made after the Second Vatican Council have partly compromised the interior's historic character, yet the church remains an interesting example of Pugin's work at the start of his career.

Link to Cheadle

The Alton project is connected with another Pugin work in the area, St Giles' church in nearby Cheadle, built between 1841 and 1846. Visiting both lets you trace the development of the architect's ideas and his partnership with the Earl of Shrewsbury.

Who is it for?

The church is especially recommended to anyone interested in nineteenth-century architecture, the Gothic Revival and the heritage of English Catholicism. Staffordshire Moorlands is also a good base for walking, and a visit to the church combines easily with a stroll around the village of Alton.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Church of St John the Baptist in Alton? Augustus Welby Pugin, commissioned by the Earl of Shrewsbury.

When was it built and consecrated? Construction began around 1839-40, and it was consecrated on 13 July 1842.

What was the building originally? The chapel of the Hospital of St John the Baptist, intended for elderly clergy and also to function as a school.

Since when has it been a parish church? Since 1932.

Is it protected? Yes, it is Grade II* listed.

Is the complex still in use? The complex now serves as a diocesan youth retreat centre, and the church is used as required. Check current access arrangements before visiting.

Summary

The Church of St John the Baptist in Alton is a modest but historically important work by Pugin. It brings together the patronage of the Earl of Shrewsbury, a school past and Gothic Revival architecture, and with its carvings, stained glass and Minton tiles it remains worth a stop on a trip through Staffordshire.