St John The Baptist Church of England is a historical church that dates back to the 12th century. It is believed to have been founded in response to Pagan worship on the nearby White Horse Hill. Its interior has been left largely untouched by the Victorians, making it a rare find. The church boasts rare 14th century wall paintings depicting Peter, Paul, Herod and Salomé with the Baptist’s head on a platter, medieval stained glass, and exceptional 15th to 17th century woodwork, including fine bench ends, panelling, pulpit and rood screen. Despite its stunning heritage, the church had fallen into such a poor state of repair that it was placed on the English Heritage ‘At Risk’ Register, and even faced imminent closure. However, the local community rallied around to save the landmark, and a restoration project began in the summer of 2015. The church is now Grade II* listed.
Posted by Oxfordshire Churches on 2015-04-23 06:24:22