Wanloria › Destinations › Chester › Church of St John the Baptist

Church of St John the Baptist

The Church of St John the Baptist was Chester's cathedral between 1075 and 1541, and tradition attributes its foundation to the year 689 by Æthelred of Mercia. It is a sandstone church listed Grade I, with a nave of Norman masonry and a Victorian refurbishment of the 19th century. Inside there is a reredos by John Douglas with pieces by Morris & Co. and stained glass by Clayton and Bell. On the east side stand the ruins of the Norman choir and the medieval chapels, a protected monument looked after by the city council, which reopened in December 2021 after consolidation works; the great west tower collapsed in 1881. In the ruins you can see arches, walls and some ashlar blocks exposed in the chapter house, with information panels. The church is still in use. It stands by the river, in an area with slopes and steps.

Things to do at Church of St John the Baptist: 3 missions

• See the Norman nave from the insideEnter by the nave and look at the Norman masonry of the piers and arches, and the stained-glass window at the east end.
• Walk the ruins of the Norman choirStroll among the arches and walls of the ruins at the east end, the remains of the Norman choir and the medieval chapels.
• Find the ashlar stones of the chapter houseFind the old chapter house among the ruins and look at the stones displayed there.

Near Church of St John the Baptist

Source: Web oficial - Iglesia de San Juan, Chester