St John the Baptist Church of England is a historic church that dates back to the 12th century. The church was founded in response to a need to counteract pagan worship on the nearby White Horse Hill. The church interior boasts rare 14th-century wall paintings depicting Peter, Paul, Herod, and Salomé, with John the Baptist’s head on a platter. The church also has beautiful medieval stained glass and exceptional 15th to 17th-century woodwork, including fine bench ends, paneling, pulpit, and rood screen.
Despite its rich heritage, the church had fallen into a poor state of repair and was placed on the English Heritage At-Risk Register. The imminent closure of this historic church was avoided when the local community rallied around to save it. A restoration project began in the summer of 2015.
St John the Baptist Church of England is listed as a Grade II* heritage site. The church’s historical significance is interesting, as are the unique features, such as the rare C14 wall paintings and remarkable woodwork. The restoration and preservation of this church are important for maintaining the community’s heritage and history.
Posted by Oxfordshire Churches on 2015-04-23 06:24:30