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

The Parish

The parish of Bisley lies in western Surrey roughly 4 miles west of the town of Woking. Bisley sits on the A322 road which links Bracknell with Guildford. Bisley is a much changed lace grown large through modern developments which have enlarged what was a small farming community. The area abounds with military presence, the former area of heathland proving ideal for military training, Bisley is home to extensive shooting ranges at the National Shooting Centre south west of the village as well as extensive area of Westend Common out of bounds to the public. At the time of this transcript Bisley would have largely farmed on an arable basis with incomes supplemented by heathland products such besom making and thatch, Bisley is drained eastwards by a small stream named simply The Bourne which meets the Thames alongside the River Wey at Weybridge, from here the Thames passes east through the capital to the North Sea. Bisley is sited at around 40 metres above the sea, land rises gently westwards to reach 117 metres on the nearby Chobham Ridges. Bisley parish was small covering just 700 acres which supported a population of close to 300 parishioners. Bisley is not mentioned in Domesday Book.

The Church

St John's church stands alone in fields a short walk south of Church Lane. Much of the church is built in the local carrstone which gives the church an umber glow in evening light. The main body of the church is of uncertain dating, Pevsner places it tentatively into the 13th century Early English Gothic period. The church's standout feature is its shingled belfry and broach spire which stands on massive timber dated to the 14th century, the effect is similar to some churches in Essex rather than to Surrey. Also 14th century and making good use of timber is the western porch with heavy barge-boarding Pevsner dates this to the later 14th century in the Perpendicular period. In contrast to the nave the chancel was rebuilt in brick in Georgian times. Similarly the northern aisle was added during the Victorian restoration of 1873 to complete today's church. The entrance to the driveway leading to St John's church is gated from Church Lane leaving a little room for safe parking. A short walk across fields on a surfaced track leads to the church which stands inside a compact churchyard with just enough room to permit adequate views for the photographer.