Church of St John the Baptist, Glastonbury

Church of St John the Baptist
Location within Somerset
General information
Town or city	Glastonbury
Country	England
Coordinates	51°08′54″N 2°42′58″W / 51.1482°N 2.7162°W / 51.1482; -2.7162
Completed	15th century

Described as "one of the most ambitious parish churches in Somerset",^[1] the present Church of St John the Baptist in Glastonbury, Somerset, England, dates from the 15th century and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.^[2]

History

The present church replaced an earlier one. Though documentary evidence for St Johns survives only from the later 12th century, other evidence tends to suggest that a church existed on this site at a significantly earlier date.^[3] According to legend, the original church was built by Saint Dunstan in the tenth century.^[4] Recent excavations in the nave have revealed the foundations of a large central tower that possibly dated from Saxon times, and a later Norman nave arcade on the same plan as the existing one. A central tower survived until the 15th Century, but is believed to have collapsed, at which time the church was rebuilt.^[5] In the north aisle, 12th century fabric survives in the former Saint Katherine's Chapel.^[6]

The church was used for shelter by Monmouth's troops in June 1685 during the Monmouth Rebellion.^[7]

Between 1856-57 the church was restored and reseated by Sir George Gilbert Scott at a cost of £3000, and its gothic character re-emphasized.^[5] The church conforms in its entirety to a style of architecture known as Perpendicular Gothic.

The church is built of Doulting stone, Street stone and the local Tor burr,^[5] and is laid out in a cruciform plan with an aisled nave and a clerestorey of seven bays.

Interior

The interior of the church includes four 15th-century tomb-chests, some 15th-century stained glass in the chancel, medieval vestments, and a domestic cupboard of about 1500 which was once at Witham Charterhouse.^[8]

St John's in summer 2010.

Tower and Bells

The west tower has elaborate buttressing, panelling and battlements. The tower rises to a height of 134½ feet (about 41 metres), and is the second tallest parish church tower in Somerset.^[5] During the 15th century the present tower at the western end of the church replaced an earlier central tower.^[9] The tower is said to have inspired numerous others, including the tower of Northington Parish Church in Hampshire.^[10] The tower is unusual in that it has a chiming clock, but no clock face.^[5]

There has been a set of bells at St John's Church since 1403. The oldest existing bell was originally made in 1612 and inscribed 'I sound to bid the sick repent in hope of life when breath is spent'. This bell was recast in 1992. The ring of six bells was augmented to a ring of eight in 1878^[11] The largest, the tenor bell, is about 14 cwt or about 712 kg and the smallest, the treble, is about 5 cwt or 250 kg.^[5]

Churchyard

In the churchyard is a thorn tree grown from a cutting from the Glastonbury Thorn. A blossom from this tree is sent to the Queen every Christmas.^[12] At the end of term, the pupils of St John’s Infants School gather round the tree in St John’s parish churchyard on the High Street. They sing carols, including one specially written for the occasion, and the oldest pupil has the privilege of cutting the branch of the Glastonbury Thorn that is then taken to London and presented to Her Majesty The Queen.

The tercentennial labyrinth, located close to the church gates, was laid in 2007, to celebrate Glastonbury receiving its town charter from Queen Anne in 1705. This is a grass labyrinth of the classical seven circuit design, its path delineated by blue lias stonework, which is a local stone present in the Tor. The labyrinth was conceptualized and designed by Sig Lonegren (a Glastonbury geomancer and author). The laying of the labyrinth was delayed due to various problems in securing a site.^[13]

List of Vicars

• Matthew Hodge 1783 - 1808^[14]
• John Townsend, MA 1809 - 1812^[15]
• Thomas Parfitt, DD 1812 - 1865^[16]
• Charles Sydenham Ross, MA 1865 - 1894^[17][18]
• Henry Lowry Barnwell, MA 1894 - 1912^[19]
• Charles Victor Parkerson Day, MA, CBE, TD 1912 - 1921^[20]
• Lionel Smithett Lewis, MA 1921 - 1950^[21]
• Hugh Knapman ^[22]
• Alan Geoffrey Clarkson ^[23]
• Patrick Riley 1984 - 2001^[24]
• Maxine Marsh 2002 - 2007 (Priest-in-Charge)^[25]
• David MacGeoch 2008 - Present

Lionel Smithett Lewis was a prominent member of the Church Anti-vivisection League (founded in 1889) and also a founder of Blue Cross, which campaigned against the inhumane treatment of horses at the front during the First World War. Following his appointment as Vicar of Glastonbury in 1921, he developed a passionate interest in the Holy Grail and the legends of Joseph of Arimathea and became a well-known author on the subject.^[26]

Alan Clarkson later became Archdeacon of Winchester.^[27]

Current Ministry and Profile

The current vicar of Saint John's, Glastonbury is the Reverend David MacGeoch, assisted by the Reverend Sister Diana Greenfield, the Reverend Robin Ray and a team of lay readers. It is linked with the parishes of St Benedict's Church in Glastonbury and St Mary's & All Saints Church in the village of Meare as a joint benefice.^[28]

Music

The church has a strong musical tradition and close ties with the nearby Cathedral of Wells. A surpliced choir and processions at St John's was first introduced by Charles Sydenham Ross, incumbent from 1865.^[29] Today, St John's choir is made up of a large group of adults and juniors under the direction of Derek Dorey, organist and choirmaster. The choir is of such a standard that it sings regularly in the cathedrals of Exeter, Salisbury, Hereford and Wells. With the help of the Cathedral School in Wells and the Wells Cathedral organist, Saint John's Glastonbury has been able to develop a scholarship, whereby each year an organ scholar is appointed to work with the Director of Music to gain experience of working within a parish church.^[30]

See also

• List of Grade I listed buildings in Mendip
• List of towers in Somerset

References

External links

Media related to St John the Baptist's, Glastonbury at Wikimedia Commons