Colston Bassett

Cox (1912) wrote of the condition of the old church: "By a most astounding decision, surely unparalleled in history of church demolition, this ancient church was deliberately allowed to be unroofed and made a ruin in 1892, when a new church was built somewhat nearer to the majority of the parishioners. The condition of the old fabric is most deplorable and melancholy, huge cracks extending in massive tower, pieces of fine window tracery gradually falling, a considerable number of inscribed floor-stones heaped over with rubbish, and rank weeds and creepers trailing at will in every direction. (Visited by writer 1890, 1904, 1907.)" About the font itself Cox (ibid.) noted: "The old font was carted off to the Hall pleasure-grounds." [NB: we have no further information on the whereabouts of this font. Is it still a garden ornament at Colston Bassett Hall?] A new font is noted in Young & Blagg (1942): "The font in the new church was given by Mr. William Kenns Marriott, of the Manor House, Barking, Essex, in memory of his parents John and Frances Marriott." Pevsner & Williamson (1979) note a font at Colston Bassett St. John's: Octagonal, with battlements and plain shields in the panels (cf. Hickling)" [NB: the font at Hickling is, however, late-medieval]. [NB: Anglo-Saxon and Norman church-related remains have been found here recently, but we have no information on the early baptismal font(s)].