The Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Buckhorn Weston is set on a site used as such since before the 13th century and parts of the original buildings are still visible in the South entrance porch and in the north wall of the chancel. The present building was restored and enlarged in 1870 with monies from the then Lord of the Manor, Sir Francis Stapleton, a name synonymous in the village with The Stapleton Arms just down the hill, still supplying ales and food, these days, not really being the old fashioned pub, but now trying to cater for the upmarket incomers that seem to be the majority in the village these days. The 15th Century tower carries one of the oldest scientific or Mass sundials in Dorset dated 1599, whilst the tower clock was made in 1920 as a memorial to the fallen of the Great War. The font is believed to date from the 14th Century whilst the peel of six bells date from the 15th to 19th century. On the walls of the ringing chamber beneath the tower are six painted panels which once formed part of old singers gallery, these being attributed to Sir James Thornhill (1675 - 1734) to whom Hogarth was a student and thence son-in-law. More recently, a pair of fine wrought iron gates were made and situated at the top of the stone steps, these being made as a memorial to Captain Hugh Stapleton
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