Church of St John the Baptist, Cirencester

The Church of St John the Baptist stands in the heart of Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Built mainly of Cotswold stone, it is one of England’s largest parish churches. The oldest parts date from the 12th century, with later additions in the 13th, 15th and 16th centuries. The tower was added around 1400 and strengthened with large buttresses. The south porch, built by Cirencester Abbey about 1480, was later joined to the church in the 18th century. The nave was rebuilt twice, most recently between 1515 and 1530. The church is renowned for its perpendicular porch, fan vaults and merchants’ tombs. St Catherine’s Chapel, dating from about 1150, contains a wall painting of St Christopher and vaulting paid for by Abbot John Hakebourne in 1508. The Lady Chapel was first built in 1240 and extended in the 15th century. The Trinity Chapel, built between 1430 and 1460, was endowed for masses for the souls of kings and queens. The Boleyn Cup, made in 1535 for Anne Boleyn, was given by Elizabeth I. Inside, the nave has tall piers with carved angels supporting the arches. The three-storey south porch has carved oriel windows and decorative pinnacles. The 15th-century pulpit and 14th-century octagonal font stand in the aisles. Surviving fragments of medieval wall paintings appear in St Catherine’s Chapel. The east windows date from around 1300, and some stained glass is by Hardman & Co. The tower houses bells mostly cast by Rudhall of Gloucester over the centuries.