Church of St John the Baptist, Pawlett

The Church of St John the Baptist stands in the small village of Pawlett in Somerset. Built in the 12th century, it replaced an earlier Saxon church and became a well-known stop on medieval pilgrimages from Watchet to Glastonbury. The building is made of local blue lias stone, which has required repairs over the centuries. Its exterior was coated with cement after the stone began to crumble. The church holds Grade I listed status, recognising its historical and architectural importance. The church’s features reflect its long history and changing uses. The south doorway arch shows three bands of decoration: lozenges, zigzags, and a biting beasts motif on the outer ring. The baptismal font combines parts of a Saxon font with a Norman one above it. A 15th-century rood screen divides the nave from the chancel, while a 20th-century window depicts Christ blessing modern children with a teddy bear and toy boat. Pew boxes still have hat pegs, showing how congregants once dressed for services. Inside, the chancel has wide communion rails on three sides, suggesting seated communion was practised there. Major renovations in 1779 helped preserve these unusual features, as later Victorian changes often removed them elsewhere. The church’s mix of old and newer elements makes it a quiet but fascinating place to explore. Its well-kept interior and historic details offer a glimpse into centuries of worship and community life.