The Tern Valley Trail - Withington

Muck and Brass

St John's Parish Church, Withington

Approaching Withington from the east, your first site of the village is likely to be the distinctive broach spire and sandstone walls of the parish church of St John the Baptist. A place of worship has existed here since at least 1150, when a chapel belonging to the church at Upton Magna is recorded on the site. The medieval church was demolished in 1872 and the current edifice, designed in the early English style by GE Street, was erected in 1874.

Withington church is noted for its 16th Century brasses, commemorating the Onley family (the remains of whose moated manor house are located at nearby Hunkington) and former village parson Adam Grafton, 'the most worshipful priest living in his days'. In a highly distinguished career, Grafton served as chaplain to King Edward V and Prince Albert and was also Warden of Battlefield College (where his name can be seen inscribed on the tower of the local church). He was buried at Withington in July 1530, after spending his final years living in the village.