The original church of St John the Baptist at Stokesay, near Craven Arms, was built around 1150 as a chapel to Stokesay Castle and was probably expanded once the castle site developed in the 13th century. As a result of the Civil War destruction Stokesay church is a rare example of a church extensively rebuilt during the Puritan period (1654) although some Norman features survive at lower levels, especially on the north side of the building.