Chester in Cheshire West and Chester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Eastern Ruins
The Church of St John the Baptist
Photographed By Ray Gurganus, April 9, 2024
1. Eastern Ruins Marker
Inscription.
Eastern Ruins. The Church of St John the Baptist. These ruins are all that survive of the Norman choir and medieval chapels which once formed the east end of St John's Church. In the Middle Ages the church was twice the length it is today., In the mid-century, England broke away from the Catholic church. Collegiate churches like St. John's were dissolved. King Edward VI's Commissioners stripped the church roof of lead and began to demolish the eastern chapels. Services continued in the ruined nave., In 1581, Queen Elizabeth I granted the church to the parishioners and some parts, including the nave, were rebuilt. They reduced the size of the church by building a new east wall, leaving the east end to fall into ruins outside., These views show how the eastern ruins looked in the early 19th century. Today, the church looks very different, because it was heavily restored in Victorian times. The great eastern window with stone tracery was rebuilt in the Norman style in 1863. A new clock turret was added after the tower collapsed in 1881.
These ruins are all that survive of the Norman choir and medieval chapels which once formed the east end of St John's Church. In the Middle Ages the church was twice the length it is today.
In the mid-century, England broke away from the Catholic church. Collegiate churches like St. John's were dissolved. King Edward VI's Commissioners stripped the church roof of lead and began to demolish the eastern chapels. Services continued in the ruined nave.
In 1581, Queen Elizabeth I granted the church to the parishioners and some parts, including the nave, were rebuilt. They reduced the size of the church by building a new east wall, leaving the east end to fall into ruins outside.
These views show how the eastern ruins looked in the early 19th century. Today, the church looks very different, because it was heavily restored in Victorian times. The great eastern window with stone tracery was rebuilt in the
Norman style in 1863. A new clock turret was added after the tower collapsed in 1881.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1581.
Location. 53° 11.355′ N, 2° 53.126′ W. Marker is in Chester, England, in Cheshire West and Chester. Marker is on Vicar's Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: A5268, Chester, England CH1 1QU, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
