In 1843 a parochial school for 45 boys and girls was built by Revd H Lloyd who also left a legacy towards its support.

The former school now serves as the village hall.

The interior of the building can be seen at: https://yarburghvillagehall.co.uk/gallery/

Jean Howard, January 2024

St. John Baptist's church, Yarburgh, was rebuilt after a fire in 1405 and is Perpendicular throughout.

The south aisle has disappeared. There are some old and rustic bench-ends.

The church was made redundant in 1981 and is now in the hands of the Churches Conservation Trust (formerly the Redundant Churches Fund).

The church is Grade I listed. See: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063089?section=official-list-entry ]

Mark Acton, 2008

The tower of St John Baptist's church is of ironstone.

There is a fine Perpendicular window in the west wall.

June 2015

Ironstone, the construction material of the tower, has been heavily eroded by wind and weather since the fifteenth century.

By contrast the limestone is relatively unchanged.

June 2015

The chancel and Perpendicular east window.

June 2015

The view of the church from the east reveals the unusual chimney on the vestry, apparently capped, and two gable-end crosses on the chancel and nave.

The church is on the east side of the main village street and well away from other properties, as can be appreciated in this photograph.

There is no vehicular access to the church but there are footpaths from west and north.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

This view from the north-east shows that the north side of the clerestory is constructed of chalk blocks and that the north wall of the chancel is rendered.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The view from the south-east shows the arcading which indicates the position of the former south aisle, taken down in 1777.

According to Historic England it is possible to see masonry reddened from the fire along the south wall of the nave.

The roofs of the south porch, chancel and vestry (nearest the camera) are laid in bands of plain and fish-scale tile.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The doorway created from limestone in the west face of the tower is in strong contrast to the ironstone. It dates from about 1450.

June 2015

The left, northern, spandrel of the west door shows the Tree of Life with Adam and Eve.

A flat band of text runs around the arch. Though now almost illegible, it reads ‘Wo so looks thys work opon Pray for all yat yt begun’.

Jean Howard, January 2024

The right, southern, spandrel bears oak leaves and two shields, the upper one showing the symbols of the passion.

A flat band of text runs around the arch. Though now almost illegible, it reads ‘Wo so looks thys work opon Pray for all yat yt begun’.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The east window shows scenes from the life of Christ. It was designed by Frederick Preedy in memory of a former rector.

The text reads: ‘A tribute of esteem and affection from the parishioners, relatives and friends of the Revd Henry Lloyd who was 11 years rector of this parish and died 17th Novr 1862 aged 46 years.’

Jean Howard, January 2024 

A plain octagonal font dating from the fourteenth century and the only remaining thing in the church which predates the fire that caused the rebuilding of 1405.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

This is one of two small sections of lead, probably saved from an earlier roof, which shows a drawing of two ships and the initials TK.

This is displayed on the north wall of the tower.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

This is one of two small sections of lead, probably saved from an earlier roof, which shows a drawing of a ship and the initials EH. This is displayed on the north wall of the tower.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The east window has two attractive hood mould stops: this to the south depicts a queen.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The east window has two attractive hood mould stops: this to the north depicts a king.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

View of the church interior looking east showing the north aisle.

The pews have doors numbered for use by specific families.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

Looking west from the nave towards the tower and into the north aisle.

The tower screen dates from the fifteenth century and has possibly been removed here from the chancel arch during the nineteenth-century restoration.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

A hand-written list of the rectors of the church.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The parish chest, which dates from the eighteenth or nineteenth century, and the lectern are in the chancel.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

At the east end of the north aisle is this pillar piscina with a crocketed moulding.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The pulpit stands against the south wall of the nave.

Like almost all the furnishings, it dates from the restoration of 1854/5 by James Fowler of Louth.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The stained wooden panelling of the sanctuary makes this a dark place.

The door to the south (right) leads into the vestry.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

In the north wall of the chancel this former fifteenth-century window has been remade during the nineteenth century to create a niche for a sculpture, now missing.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The wooden War Memorial panel lists both those who served and those who died.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

The 3-light east window, in Perpendicular style.

According to Pevsner the church was rebuilt after a fire of 1405.

June 2015