Parish Church of St John the Baptist Cirencester

Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Cirencester

Jake Davies

The great South Porch of St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester overlooks the town market place. — The great South Porch of St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester overlooks the town market place

St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Cirencester was built on the site of an older Saxon church. — St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Cirencester was built on the site of an older Saxon church

The 15th century Parish Church of St John the Baptist (the so-called "Cathedral of the Cotswolds") dominates the picturesque Market Place in the heart of Cirencester.

History & Architecture

St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Cirencester was built on the site of an older Saxon church. The oldest part of the current church, the chancel, dates back to the 12th century, though most of the church that remains today was built in the 15th century. It was very much a joint project between nearby St. Mary's Abbey, often known simply as Cirencester Abbey, and the guilds of Cirencester, mostly very wealthy wool merchants.

The tower of St. John the Baptist Church was built in the 15th century. It is 143 feet high. It was planned to have a spire but it was decided that the tower would not be strong enough to support it. For a small fee visitors, 8 years or older, can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy the views over Cirencester and the surrounding Cotswolds countryside.

Details from the church website, cirenparish.co.uk/visit-the-parish

The mighty church tower is supported by magnificent flying buttresses which were added later when it was discovered the church had been built over a filled-in ditch. The nave was completely rebuilt in the early 16th century between 1515 and 1530.

The tower of St. John the Baptist Church was built in the 15th century. It is 143 feet high. — The tower of St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester was built in the 15th century. It is 143 feet high

South Porch

The great South Porch of St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester overlooks the town market place. It was built around 1480 by Cirencester Abbey. The ground floor was used by the abbey and the upper two floors were used by guilds. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century it was used as a town hall. Until the 18th century it was a separate building to the church but a corridor was added to connect the two structures. Nowadays it is used for choir practice.

A large cross hangs from the Chancel Arch, the oldest part of St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester. Above the arch one of the many stained glass windows of the church

Highlights

The wine glass-shaped pulpit is one of the few to have survived the Reformation.

The Anne Boleyn Cup, a silver goblet is on display inside the church. It was given by Queen Anne Boleyn (the second wife of King Henry VIII) to the physician Dr. Richard Masters, in gratitude for his care of Anne Boleyn’s daughter, the future Elizabeth I.

A large cross hangs from the Chancel Arch, the oldest part of St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester. Above the arch is one of the many stained glass windows of the church. Most of the stained glass windows date back only to the 18th century, but reuse pieces of much older glass from the much earlier original windows.

Looking directly up at the fan vaulting of the ceiling of St. Nicholas & St. Katherine's Chapel. — Looking directly up at the fan vaulting of the ceiling of St. Nicholas & St. Katherine's Chapel inside St. John the Baptist church in Cirencester. Constructed primarily in Perpendicular Gothic style, this medieval church is known for being light and spacious inside with narrow pillars and plenty of windows

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester. — St. John the Baptist Church in Cirencester is the largest parish church in Gloucestershire. Measuring 108 feet in length, and 104 feet wide. The current nave was rebuilt in the early 16th century

Information & Hours

Parish Church of St John the Baptist
Market Place
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 2BQ
UK
Tel: 01285 654 552

Guided tours of the church take place regularly and are free of charge though a donation is suggested

The pipe organ in the church is particularly colourful and decorative. — The pipe organ in the church is particularly colourful and decorative

Access - Getting to Cirencester

Cirencester is 130 km (80 miles) northwest of London. It is the largest town in the Cotswolds.

Cirencester is on the A417, A419 and A429. It is roughly equidistant from both Swindon to the southeast and Cheltenham to the northwest. No longer connected by rail, the nearest station is at Kemble, 30 minutes away on the 93 bus.

Bus 51 runs to Cheltenham (40 minutes), the 852 to Gloucester (75 minutes), the 54 and 54A to Stroud (40 minutes) and the 881 to Tetbury (30 minutes).

Other attractions in town include the Corinium Museum and several good pubs. These include The Crown and The Golden Cross Inn.

Visitors to the town can also visit the Roman Amphitheatre and the Roman Wall.

Accommodation in the Cotswolds

There are several good places to stay in Cirencester. Choose from the four-star Kings Head Hotel on Market Place, the Corinium Hotel & Restaurant on Gloucester Street, three stars, or the Eliot Arms.

See here for a listing of places to stay in Cirencester.