North West Tower

North West Tower. The Church of St John the Baptist. This is the base of the great North West Tower of St. John's which collapsed in 1881. Originally, it was nearly three times as high and was a major local landmark., The Norman church was planned in a cruciform shape with a central tower and two towers at the west end. The south west tower was probably never built. The north west tower is said to have been rebuilt after sections fell down in 1572 destroying the western bay of the nave., The tower was richly decorated. Look for the remains of the patterned tracery bands and one of many carved niches which held the states The figure of St. Giles which originally stood over the west window is now above the entrance porch., During the Civil War in St. John's was captured by the Parliamentary forces who besieged Royalist Chester. A platform for cannon was built inside this tower and the city was badly damaged by bombardment from the church. On the 24th September 1645. King Charles I narrowly escaped being hit by musket fire from St. John's as he stood on the Cathedral tower to watch the defeat of his army at the battle of Rowton Moor., On Good Friday, 15th April 1881, The North West Tower and belfry collapsed, destroying the fine Early English entrance porch. The crash was heard all over Chester. The porch was rebuilt in replica and a new clock tower to house the bells was constructed at the east end of the church.