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The Church was built in 1160 in Romanesque style, it stands above the flat Trent valley on a Sandstone outcrop. It was totally rebuilt in 1845 as an exact replace of the original building but was enlarged by the addition of a south aisle to match the original north aisle, The North Aisle of the Chancel was added in 1860: In this space Josiah Spode 4th installed the Samuel Green Organ-buying it from Lichfield Cathedral. Built in 1790, it is now the subject of an extensive study. As it is the largest 18th Century Cathedral Organ to survive in this country, a proposal to restore it has been put forward at a cost of £160,000. We need considerable advice and or money if this project is to proceed further.
A recording of the instrument is available in the Deutche Gramophone archive series C.D number:
447-300-2
The font is reckoned to be 10th century, and some have expressed the view that it began as a pagan object.
Nothing survives of the pre 1845 building, or its furnishings. The tower has 1690 carved into the south face and contains three bells dated 1720.
The bells are being restored at this time and this is to cost £60.000. When complete the number of bells will be raised to 6.
A catalogue of these records is available in "Gateway to the Past" - the online catalogue of the
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service. The Archive Service's
website provides further information on
planning a visit to the office to consult records, should you wish to do so.
It has a small kitchen for the preparation of tea, coffee and light snacks, by the room users or professional caterers.
There is no set charge for this room - a simple donation to cover heating and lighting is much appreciated.
Historic records of St John the Baptist, Armitage have been deposited at
Staffordshire Record Office, where they are available for consultation by
the public. These include the parish registers of baptisms 1673-1967,
marriages 1673-1989, and burials 1673-1992, as well as a very good range of
papers of the overseers of the poor.
A connected church room was added to the West End of the South Aisle in 1989, at a cost of £65,000. This is a cosy room very suitable for gatherings after a Service in the Church.