Description: A fine example of 12th-century early Gothic architecture, with an elegant chancel and magnificent Jacobean pulpit. The church of St. John the Baptist, the earliest known date for which is 1135 when Oscot was Rector, was one of the richest livings in the Hundred of Scarsdale and has in its churchyard the remains of what is reputed to be an Anglican preaching cross, which would, if such it is, predate the first church building. A clock was added in 1904 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (which she celebrated in 1897).
This image is one of a collection by the famous local antiquarian, Thomas Bateman, of Middleton by Youlgreave. (1821-1861). Bateman organized his collection by inserting them into a 4 volume copy of Lysons Magna Britannia, Derbyshire, creating a fascinating and unique illustrated record of the county. The purchase of the collection for Derbyshire Libraries was made possible by the generous bequest of Miss Frances Webb of Whaley Bridge, well known local historian, who died in December 2006.