St John the Baptist's Church, Crawley

St John the Baptist's Church in Crawley, West Sussex, England, stands as a beacon of history and spirituality, inviting both worshippers and history enthusiasts to explore its storied past. As the oldest building in Crawley town centre, this Anglican church has roots stretching back to the 13th century, making it a fascinating landmark to visit.

The Historical Tapestry of St John the Baptist's Church

The origins of St John the Baptist's Church are steeped in the medieval history of Sussex. Crawley, initially part of the parish of Slaugham, required its own place of worship due to the distance from the parish church of St Mary's in Slaugham. Hence, a stone church was erected as a chapel of ease before 1267, evolving into a free church and a permanent chantry by the early 15th century. This transformation marked the establishment of Crawley as an independent parish.

Over the centuries, the church has undergone numerous modifications. The 15th century saw the addition of a tall tower at the western end, enlarged nave windows, and the installation of a rood screen between the chancel and the nave. The nave roof was also rebuilt during this period, and the earliest surviving memorial carvings and stones date back to this era.

A Journey Through Time

By the 16th century, Crawley had blossomed into a bustling market village, and its parish gained prominence over Slaugham. Despite the church's growing importance, it faced periods of neglect and disrepair in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Chichester Diocesan Survey of 1724 noted that the church's bells were in poor condition, with only one being in order. These bells were later recast in 1742 by Thomas Lester of Whitechapel, ensuring their continued use in calling the faithful to worship.

The 19th century brought significant changes to the church's structure. The tower was partially rebuilt and heightened by 1814, using the original stone. Further renovations in 1845 and major changes in 1879 and 1880 included the addition of a new north aisle, a north porch, and a complete reconstruction of the chancel. An organ chamber was also built during this period. However, these Victorian alterations have been criticized by architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner, who described the resulting appearance as dully Victorian.

The Bells of St John the Baptist's Church

The church's bells have a storied history of their own. The two bells cast by Thomas Lester in 1742 eventually became cracked, necessitating the installation of a new peal of eight bells in 1880 by Gillett, Bland & Company of Croydon. These bells, inscribed with various dedications and messages, continue to ring out over Crawley, marking the passage of time and calling the community to worship.

The bells were further restored in the 20th century, with bell 3 being recast in 1931 and the tenor rehung on plain bearings. The remaining bells were rehung on ball bearings in 1935, and some of the wheels were replaced in 1985. The 5th bell was rehung on a new headstock by Whitechapel in 1999, ensuring the continued use of these historic bells for generations to come.

Architectural Highlights

St John the Baptist's Church is constructed of Sussex limestone, with the chancel roof tiled and the rest of the church roofed with local stone slabs. The south wall of the nave is original, albeit with 15th-century alterations. The nave ceiling, also from the 15th century, features wind bracing and tie beams, adding to the church's architectural charm.

The tower, rebuilt in the 19th century, stands in three stages and showcases medieval carvings. Inside, visitors can admire the 17th-century pulpit and altar rails, as well as some 19th-century stained glass in the north aisle and the east end of the chancel. The church's oldest internal fixture is the 13th-century marble font, a testament to its long history of baptisms and community gatherings.

Notable Parishioners and Haunting Tales

St John the Baptist's Church has been a spiritual home to many notable figures, including Mark Lemon, the founding editor of the satirical magazine Punch. Lemon, who lived in Crawley, regularly attended the church despite residing in the neighboring parish of Ifield. His substantial girth necessitated sitting in the gallery, as there were no pews large enough to accommodate him in the nave.

The church and its surroundings are also reputed to be haunted, with numerous paranormal sightings reported over the years. The churchyard contains the war graves of two soldiers from World War I and an airman from World War II, adding to the sense of history and reverence that permeates the site.

The Church Today

In September 2017, a new phase in the life of St John the Baptist's Church began with a team from St Peter's Brighton. Today, the church offers a variety of services, ranging from traditional and informal to contemporary, catering to the diverse spiritual needs of the community. As a Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) network church, St John's continues to serve as a vibrant hub of worship and community engagement in Crawley.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or a spiritual seeker, St John the Baptist's Church in Crawley offers a rich tapestry of experiences and stories waiting to be discovered. Its ancient walls and timeless traditions invite you to step back in time and explore the enduring legacy of this remarkable parish church.