LAST week’s church is St John the Baptist at Low Bentham, and was correctly identified by Janice Toft, Jim Munday M and G Fell, and also Jonathan Oldfield, who writes (see also Letters) how delighted he was to see the church featured.

St John’s is the Anglican Parish Church for both High and Low Bentham in the Leeds Diocese.

Between 1872 and 2011, the two settlements of High and Lower Bentham were individual parishes, and tthe church of St Margaret’s, High Bentham can still be seen standing on a hill just off Station Road overlooking the southern part of the town.

St Margaret’s closed in 2011 and now St John’s has reverted to its original role as the parish church for both High and Low Bentham. Until the early 19th century it was the parish church for High Bentham, Burton-in -Lonsdale, Ingleton and Chapel- le- dale.

The origin of St John’s is lost in time, says the church website, but it is quite feasible that the earliest church was built by the Romans. The Roman road from Ribchester to Casterton crossed the River Wenning, just 50 metres west of the church, and it was common practice for the Romans to build close to river crossings.

Pillaging by the Scots shortly after the Battle of Bannockburn destroyed an earlier church but the tower and chancel arch built about 1340 remain to this day.

The church was rebuilt in 1822 and the again in 1876 and it is this last rebuild, in the perpendicular style, that is the church that is there today.

The architect was Richard Norman Shaw, responsible for commercial as well as church buildings. It is home to many interesting relics.

What about this week’s church,pictured y Philip Winstanley. Suggestions by 8am on Monday to news@cravenherald.co.uk