Church of St John the Baptist, Burford facts for kids
| Church of St John the Baptist | |
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| Country | England |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 12 September 1955 |
| Years built | 11th–15th centuries |
| Administration | |
| Benefice | Burford |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
The Church of St John the Baptist is a beautiful old church located in Burford, Oxfordshire, England. It's a very important building, officially recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it has special historical and architectural value. This church belongs to the Church of England and is named after Saint John the Baptist. It's famous for its special chapel, which was once used by merchants, and a unique memorial. This memorial is dedicated to Edmund Harman, who was a barber-surgeon for King Henry VIII, and it features carvings of South American Indians.
Contents
History of the Church
The building you see today started being built way back in the 12th century. Over time, it grew and changed, and by the 15th century, it looked much like it does now. It became known as a "Wool church" because it was built during a time when the wool trade was very important and wealthy merchants helped fund its construction.
The English Civil War Connection
In 1649, during the English Civil War, something interesting happened here. A group of soldiers called Levellers were part of the New Model Army. They had been involved in a protest, sometimes called the Banbury mutiny. These soldiers were held prisoner inside the church.
Victorian Restoration Efforts
Later, in the 1870s, the church went through a big renovation project called a Victorian restoration. A famous architect named George Edmund Street led this work. However, not everyone agreed with the changes. William Morris, a well-known artist and writer, was so concerned about how old buildings were being changed that he started a group called the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. This group wanted to make sure old buildings were preserved carefully. Part of the restoration at St John the Baptist included adding a new tiled floor.
The church is still an active place of worship today. It is part of the Burford parish and benefice, which falls under the Diocese of Oxford.
Church Architecture and Features
The Church of St John the Baptist is made of stone and has a cruciform shape, meaning it looks like a cross from above. It has a main area called a nave with five sections, and there are smaller chapels on its north and south sides. The tower and its tall, pointed roof, called a spire, are located in the very center of the building.
Inside the Church
Inside, you can see a pulpit, which is where sermons are given. This pulpit was also restored in 1870. There are many old tombs and memorials inside the church. Much of the beautiful stained glass windows were created by an artist named Charles Eamer Kempe.
Notable Memorials
Among the many memorials, two are especially interesting:
- One memorial is for Christoper Kempster, who passed away in 1715. He was a local quarry-man, meaning he worked with stone. He was highly respected by Sir Christopher Wren, the famous architect who designed St Paul's Cathedral in London. Wren even hired Kempster to work on St Paul's.
- Another important memorial, from around 1569, is dedicated to Edmund Harman. This one is unique because it has carvings of South American Indians.
In the area known as the Gild Chapel, you can find the tombs of the Sylvester family, another important local family from history.
