St John the Baptist - Broadwindsor - History

The church is situated in a high commanding position in the centre of the village and it is probable that there has been a Christian building on this site since Anglo-Saxon times, but the structural evidence in the present building takes us back as far as the llth century when it was probably a simple cruciform shape.

Towards the middle of the 12th c the south aisle was added. The pillars can be dated by their scalloped capitals and are considered Norman in style and, except for one, remain in their original positions. Around the year 1230 the north aisle was added and the pillars, which date from that period, are the 1st and 3rd, counting from the western end of church, and are Early English in style. During the 13th/14th centuries the tower was built at the west end and much of that original stonework survives and the chancel was extended eastwards doubling its original length. In the 15th century a porch was added to the south door which is itself 14th century.

For the next 300 years restoration work concentrated on interior furnishings, a double decker gallery being added in the late 17th or early 18th century. The upper gallery being reserved for the choir that consisted of any villagers who possessed musical instruments and could play them. In 1818 the ancient rood screen was removed.

In the middle of the 19c the fabric of the church was very dilapidated and the Revd. Soloman Caesar Malan set in motion a major restoration and rebuilding programme. The nave and aisles were extended eastwards thus shortening the chancel and a small vestry was added.


Major Victorian restoration works
The Clock - dates to 1789 and bears the names of Henry Slade and Thomas Stoodley Churchwardens. The Bells - are six in number and are of outstanding interest. The first and second are by Bilbie dated 1806 and 1790, the third, fourth and fifth are 15th century. The tenor bell is dated 1897. All are inscribed. The three pre-Reformation bells are still maiden and it is rare that an English parish possesses three bells that date back to at least a century before this country's Reformation. It is a real link with the past that bells that ring out every Sunday in this village have been heard by this community since the times of the Stuart monarchy and the English Civil War. The Font is of Norman origin. Its bowl is of Purbeck marble and it stands on a modern moulded base of local sandstone. The Moses and Aaron picture - stands over 6ft high and is comprised of eight horizontal planks held together by battens and a moulded wooden frame. The style is mid-17th century and considered to be the work of a local fairly average artist. The Pulpit is seven-sided with its buttressed and pinnacled angles and beautifully carved panels of foliage and dates from the 16th century and although it stands on a modern base it is essentially the same one Thomas Fuller would have used.

The Organ was supplied and built by J.W.Walker of London at a cost of £205 around the restoration in 1868.It was electrified early this century and then restored in 1988.

The Clerestory - around the church walls, below the clerestory windows that are 14th century in design but are restored is a band of stone on which are carved the words of Psalm 100. The Royal Coat of Arms - this can be seen above the bookcase to the right of the door It is dated 1783 and was therefore painted during the reign of George III; the board nevertheless carries the cipher of George IV. They are accurate for neither reign so it would seem that the original Arms were those of G III erected in response to the decree that all churches in the established Anglican order should display the Royal Arms as a sign of loyalty. This decree remained in force when George IV came to the throne, and it would appear that the folk of Broadwindsor instead of repainting the whole board with the new Arms, adjusted the original as best they could ! Charity boards - There are various charity boards detailing benefactions. Incumbents - a board at the west end of the north aisle records the names of Incumbents of the Parish since 1314. Two of these are worth noting. From 1634-1642 there was the Worthy Doctor Thomas Fuller who wrote 'History of the Worthies of England'. He was named as the witty Cavalier Parson well known to his literary contemporaries including Samuel Pepys to whom he was 'the great Tom Fuller' The other was Solomon Caesar Malan Vicar for 40 years from 1845 - 1885. He was a great scholar, a naturalist and spoke some 70 languages. He acted as a physician/councillor to the poor, was a good father to his children and great comforter and friend to the community for miles around.

A more comprehensive Guide can be purchased from the bookcase at the back of the church at a cost of £1.50.
1868 Organ by J Walker of London
1783 Royal Coat of Arms