Church of St. John, Ford, North Wraxall

In 1895 Lord Methuen gave a third of an acre for the desired church with the rectory being positioned 100 yards away. It is in the centre of Ford situated on the Chippenham to Bristol main road, making it readily accessible for the late 19th Century occupants. Despite, being built in 1896, the church only remained as a place of worship for just over 100 years before it was converted into a house for residential use in 2001.

W.J. Lewis’ book North Wraxall contains details of the interior of the church. The nave could seat 170 people and was paved with wood blocks, the chancel with red bricks. The natural slope of the land was taken advantage of by the architect who arranged the seats so that worshippers throughout the church had a grand view of the Communion Table. All internal woodwork was painted olive green with parts of the screen and the chancel ceiling being gilded. Externally, a statue of St. John the Evangelist is placed in a niche on the south wall and still stands i tact today.

The total cost was £3,000; £2,100 of that sum was donated by Francis Harrison out of his own money. Oriel College, Oxford, contributed £500, John Howell donated £340, Rev. Robert Mayo £20, L.L. Price £5, Rev. L. R. Phelps £3.3s and Rev. C.W. Shickle £1.