England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
East Farndon St John the Baptist

The Parish

The parish of East Farndon lies on Northamptonshire's northern edge forming a lengthy stretch of the county's border with neighbouring Leicestershire. East Farndon is located about 1 1/2 miles southwest of the Leicestershire market town of Market Harborough and sits about 1 mile west of the A508 road which links Market Harborough with Northampton. East Farndon is a rather linear village with most properties strung along its main lane which runs southwest from Market Harborough and onward to Clipston. Many of the properties are built in the honey-coloured Jurassic stone of the area making for a picturesque village. The soils were generally unsuited to intensive arable farming so whilst both methods were present pastures dominated with cattle the mainstay. East Farndon is drained northwards the short distance to the River Welland by a mixture of field drains and small streams, the Welland forms the majority of the county boundary with Market Harborough as a southern incursion into Northamptonshire territory. The Welland has a long journey trending east and then northeast to reach the North Sea through The Wash. East Farndon is sited on steadily rising ground from 90 metres at its northernmost point to 150 metres above the sea by the church, rolling hills rise further to the southwest reaching 188 metres to the east of nearby Sibbertoft. East Farndon parish was slightly smaller than many in this area covering just under 1,500 acres and supporting a population of close to 250 parishioners. East Farndon has no mention in Domesday Book.

The Church

St John's church sits on high ground at the southern limits of the village, tucked away from Clipston Road behind fronting properties. Superficially the church is a typical example of the 14th century styles of the Decorated and the Perpendicular with the former from the first half of the 14th century the main style displayed. Both northern and southern doorways plus the chancel arch and southern arcade are all given in Pevsner as examples of the Decorated style whilst only the upper stages of the western tower, complete with pinnacles and battlements, is cited as true Perpendicular. What chiefly concerns Pevsner is a document of 1831 which refers the northern aisle as ruinous, on closer examination he identifies various idiosyncrasies in the north wall of the church and in particular with the clerestory. All of these oddities indicate a substantial 17th century rebuild to bring the church back to good order. Typical Victorian restorations are also noted for 1872 & 1879 in one of which the eastern wall of the chancel was rebuilt, internally the painted ceiling for the nave also dates from this work. The church is accessed from Clipston Road at the triangular green of Rectory Close where a few spots for parking may be found. A short walk leads to a form with that for the church marked by a prominent white signboard. The churchyard is compact and closely hugged by trees which restrict the distance one can draw back for a landscape view, other isolated trees are readily avoided by the photographer.