St John the Evangelist
Northington, Hampshire
This beautiful church is of architectural significance in that it is one of the first made of concrete and faced with flint and limestone externally and limestone dressing to the interior. Built in
The thrill of St Mary's - more for unexpectedness than for architectural quality - is George Dance's octagonal nave inserted into what had been a medieval church.
Of that church the brick and flint west tower remained standing. The octagon, built in 1808, is of brick and is rather brutal in appearance from the outside.
The interior is beautifully light and airy with fine mouldings and a plaster star-vault. In the chancel are three monuments sculpted by famous sculptor, John Flaxman RA, between 1801 and 1813. The Barings resided at the Grange and Stratton Court. The centre is Thy Will be Done, a seated praying woman. The two smaller side pieces have a square Baroque panel: Thy Kingdom Come and Deliver us from Evil. The memorial to Thomas Baring of two large kneeling angels is by Sir JE Boehm.