Church of St John the Baptist, Wellington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St John the Baptist |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Wellington |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 50°58′44″N 3°13′44″W / 50.9788°N 3.2288°W |
| Completed | 15th century |
The Church of St John the Baptist is a historic church located in Wellington, Somerset, England. This beautiful building dates back to the 15th century. It is officially recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important and protected historical site.
Contents
Discovering St John the Baptist Church
A Look at Its Long History
This church has stood for a very long time. Before the current building, there was another church on the same spot. That older church was dedicated to a different saint, St Mary the Virgin.
The tall tower of the church was built around the year 1510. Over the centuries, the church has been cared for and updated. During the 1800s, it was restored several times to keep it in good condition.
What Makes It Special?
The Church of St John the Baptist has some unique features. The organ you see inside was rebuilt in 1997. It replaced an even older organ that was first put in around 1700.
One very special detail is found in the Lady chapel. Look closely at the stone bar in the middle of the big east window. You will see a carving called a Lily crucifix. This is a rare symbol in churches in England. It shows Jesus on a lily flower, or sometimes holding one.
Famous People and Unique Stories
Inside the church, you can find a monument dedicated to John Popham. He was a very important person in English law and government who passed away in 1607. During his life, he served as the leader of the House of Commons, the chief lawyer for the King or Queen, and the top judge in England.
The church also holds another amazing piece of history. It has the very first tomb inscription, called an epitaph, ever written in English. This epitaph is on the tomb of Richard of Wellington, a priest from the 1300s. Before this, all tomb writings were in Latin.
The Church Today
Today, the Church of St John the Baptist is part of the Wellington and District Team Ministry. This ministry is a group of churches within the Diocese of Bath and Wells. They work together to serve the local community.
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The Reredos from St John's Wellington at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton Castle
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The Wellington lily crucifix
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Taunton Deane
- List of towers in Somerset
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
