St John's Church, Shobdon

St John's Church, Shobdon
Church of St John the Evangelist, Shobdon
Church of St John, Shobdon
St John's Church, Shobdon Location in Hereford
Coordinates: 52°15′38″N 2°52′44″W / 52.2605°N 2.8788°W / 52.2605; -2.8788
Location	Shobdon, Herefordshire
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	[1]
Architecture
Status	Parish church
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	11 June 1959
Architectural type	Church
Administration
Parish	Shobdon
Diocese	Diocese of Hereford
Clergy
Vicar(s)	Revd Prebendary Steve Hollinghurst

The Church of St John is a Church of England parish church at Shobdon in the English county of Herefordshire. Of 14th century origins, the church was completely rebuilt between 1749-52 for John Bateman, 2nd Viscount Bateman, in a Rococo style under the supervision of Bateman's uncle, The Honourable Richard Bateman, a close friend of Horace Walpole, and a member of his Committee of Taste.Simon Jenkins, in his book England's Thousand Best Churches, considers the interior "a complete masterpiece (of) English Rococo," while Brooks and Pevsner describe it as "the finest 18th century church in Herefordshire." It is a Grade I listed building.

The original church was probably constructed in the 14th century. Arches from the interior of this building were removed in the 18th century to form a eye-catcher in the grounds of Shobdon Court, the Bateman family home. The Shobdon Arches, as they are known, have subsequently "weathered disastrously." Between 1749-52, John Bateman undertook a complete rebuilding in the Gothic Revival style. The architect is unknown. Bateman's uncle was a friend of Horace Walpole and many members of their circle have been suggested as possible designers, including William Kent, Daniel Garrett, Stephen Wright, John Vardy, Richard Bentley, William Robinson and Henry Flitcroft. Jenkins himself favours Richard Bentley. The style is clearly influenced by the contemporary Strawberry Hill House and the works of Batty Langley.