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St. John the Baptist Parish Church
Glastonbury, Somerset

[Friday - 05/07/99] Just up the street from the George and Pilgrim stands the Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist. Most of this lovely church was rebuilt 500 years ago between 1400 and 1484 AD. Saint Dunstan, while still Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, probably had the first church built for the people of Glastonbury on this site long before the Normans arrived 1,000 years ago. Even then, Christianity was old in Glastonbury. The church was standing in the open field beyond the new houses of the High Street by Norman times. Under the jurisdiction of the Abbey, in 1203, St. John's revenues were appropriated to help pay for the rebuilding of Glastonbury Abbey. The vicars of St. John's were then paid a stipend and its parishoners rented the church for 6 shillings, nine pence.

The late Norman church was rebuilt during the fifteenth century and, in 1534, Leland described it as a "fair lightsome church." Both the medieval and Georgian furnishings were removed in 1856 and their refurbishment overseen by Sir George Gilbert Scott. During the past century, most of the chapels have been brought back into use and refurnished.

Past generations have left their marks on this wonderful church with furnishings, monuments, pictures, and carvings from each of the past five centuries. We came here to see the stained glass window depicting Joseph of Arimathea's journey to Glastonbury but were pleasantly surprised to arrive in time for Evensong for which Mistress Susan stayed.


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Last modified on Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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