Church of St. John the Baptist, Charlton (North Wilts)

The church at Charlton is thought to date back at least 800 years- possibly more. It is picturesque, with a turret tower and a sundial over the porch. There is a chancel with north chapel and south vestry. These seem to be from the late 12th century. In the 14th century the aisle was extended and the tower built. In the late 16th century a large window was inserted in the nave. It is to be found on Park Street, near one of the entrances to Charlton Park. The earliest reference to it being dedicated to St. John the Baptist was probably 1763.The registers are complete from 1661 and , other than those in current use, are held in the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre at Chippenham.

The records of Malmesbury Abbey show there was a chapel in Charlton in the 13th century- this probably became the church. The lands at Charlton belonging to Malmesbury Abbey were bought by William Stumpe at the time of the dissolution; his descendents became the owners of Charlton Park and the Earls of Suffolk.

There is an oak panel carved with a lion and unicorn above the pulpit and this is thought to have been made in the 17th century. A larger oak panel screens the organ and is carved with ten faces. The earliest remaining feature is probably a dedication cross found at the north east corner of the east wall. There is a niche above the door from the porch which once held a statue of some kind; probably either of St. John the Baptist or the Virgin Mary.

Henry Knyvett of Charlton Park is buried in the church. He was buried with his wife in a white tomb, with statues of their five children sat around them. It is set in the north chapel, but originally stood under the arch between the chapel and the chancel. It was probably moved during the restoration of the church of the 1870s. There is also a monument to James Grahame in the north chapel, who was servant to both Charles II and James II. It reads: “Faithful to both his masters and a sincere lover of the monarchy.” On the monument there is a scallop shell, which is the symbol of St. James.

Underneath the chapel is the vault of the Earls of Suffolk and Berkshire. It is now closed, with Lady Coventry who died in 1928 being the last family member to be buried there.

The church historically had close links to Malmesbury Abbey. It was part of the Parish of St. Mary Westport until 1879. This relationship of the estate at Charlton stretches back to 681 when the name Charlton is mentioned in a charter of the estates of Malmesbury Abbey.

By the mid-19th century the church was in a poor state. This coincided with a peak of non-conformity in the village. Funds to pay for a restoration of the church were raised at a “Grand Bazaar” at Charlton Park in 1874. An impressive £400 was raised, of which a significant amount had been donated by the Suffolk family. Further funds were raised from all over the parish.
Builders from Brimscombe, Wall and Hook, were appointed to carry out the work for a fee of £720. The restored church was ready by May 1875. A service took place, with the ladies from Charlton Park decorating the church with flowers. The Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol preached. The current pulpit is Victorian, so probably installed during this time. Above the pulpit, part of a previous pulpit is visible, reading; “Woe to me if I preach not the gospel - 1630.” This is taken from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Prior to these changes, there were simple wooden benches for most of the congregation and a large family pew for the Earls of Suffolk to occupy.

There is a notable and beautiful memorial window dedicated to Charles Henry George Howard, 20th Earl of Suffolk and 13th Earl of Berkshire. It was dedicated to him in 1947. He was known as “Jack” and became Earl in 1917 at the age of 11 after his father died in the First World War. Jack died in the Second World War when a bomb exploded in his attempt to diffuse it; he worked in a bomb disposal unit in London. He was awarded the George Cross for his actions. Winston Churchill describes him in “The Finest Hour”, the second volume of his book on the war.

He wrote: “One bomb disposal squad I remember which may be taken as symbolic of many others. It consisted of three people; the Earl of Suffolk, his lady private secretary and his chauffeur. They called themselves “The Holy Trinity”. Their prowess and continued existence got around among all who knew and 34 unexploded bombs did they tackle with urbane and smiling efficiency, but the 35th claimed its forfeit. Up went the Earl of Suffolk in his Holy Trinity. But we may be sure that, as for Mr Valiant-for-Truth, all the trumpets sounded for them on the other side.”The window itself shows the Earl’s George Cross. The two figures are Saints George and John Nepomuk. At the bottom of the window is the family coat of arms. It was designed by Gerald Smith. In 1991 the current Earl organised a remembrance service in the church to mark the 50th anniversary of Jack’s death.

The church is now part of the Braydon Brook group of churches, which encompasses Charlton, Crudwell, Hankerton, Minety, Oaksey and Ashley.