Beckford - St John the Baptist

Beckford is known to have been settled by the Romans. The Anglo-Saxons filled the vacuum caused by the Roman withdrawal from Britain and the Saxon Chronicles of Worcestershire record it as “Beccanforda”. It is documented that a monastery and church, almost certainly of timber, were here in the 8th century.

The central tower, its base having round-headed Norman windows, suggests a Norman cruciform church. The nave is Norman and there may have been an apsidal chancel where the tower is now.
The chancel is Early English style from around 1310.

The church has two old tympanae.The tympanum on the north side lacks the protection of a porch and has therefore suffered over the centuries.

Harrowing of Hell - Christ in the centre is spearing the Devil with his cross, while in his other hand is a man (Adam) he has rescued from Hell.