St John the Evangelist's Church, Kirkby Woodhouse

St John the Evangelist’s Church stands in Kirkby Woodhouse, a village on the edge of Ashfield in Nottinghamshire. It was built as a daughter church to St Wilfrid’s, the parish church a short distance away. The first church opened in 1860, but the present building dates from 1906. Louis Ambler designed the new church, and the Duke of Portland gave the land. The project cost £10,000, though plans for a tower were never carried out. The church is worth visiting for its simple yet dignified design and its place in the local story. It was created to serve a growing community that needed its own place of worship. The 1906 building replaced an earlier structure that had become too small. Ambler’s work shows the plain style of the period, without the grand ornament of many churches. The Duke of Portland’s gift of land made the new church possible at a time when funds were limited. Inside, the church offers a quiet space for reflection with clear lines and good natural light. The interior is uncluttered, allowing the architecture to speak for itself. The lack of a tower gives the building a modest outline against the surrounding trees. Outside, the church sits on Skegby Road, close to fields and the older parts of the village. It remains a familiar landmark for local people and a modest point of interest for visitors.