Church of St John the Baptist, Burford
Church in Oxfordshire, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Anglican Church of St John the Baptist in Burford, Oxfordshire, England, is a Grade I listed building.[1]
| Church of St John the Baptist, Burford | |
|---|---|
| Church of St John the Baptist | |
| |
  Church of St John the Baptist, Burford Location within Oxfordshire | |
| 51.8096°N 1.6342°W | |
| SP 25313 12402 | |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
Functional status | Parish church |
Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 12 September 1955[1] |
Years built | 11th–15th centuries |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
| Benefice | Burford[2] |
| Clergy | |
| Vicar | Tom Putt |
The Church of England parish church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist,[3] and is described by David Verey as "a complicated building which has developed in a curious way from the Norman".[4] It is known for its merchants' guild chapel and memorial to Henry VIII's barber-surgeon, Edmund Harman, which features South American Indians.
History
The current building was started in the 12th century. The current configuration of the building was completed by the 15th century as a Wool church.[5]
In 1649, during the English Civil War, a group of Levellers, part of the New Model Army Banbury mutineers, were imprisoned in the church[6] and executed by gunshot in the churchyard following the new Treason Act introduced by parliament.[citation needed]
It underwent extensive Victorian restoration by George Edmund Street in 1870s and was one of the instances which prompted William Morris to establish the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.[1] The restoration included the addition of a tiled floor.[7]
The parish and benefice of Burford is within the Diocese of Oxford.[8]
Architecture
The stone building has a cruciform plan. It consists of a five-bay nave with chapels to the north and south sides. The tower and spire are above the centre of the building.[1] The interior includes a pulpit which was restored in 1870 and a variety of tomb chests and memorials. Much of the stained glass is by Charles Eamer Kempe.[1] Among the memorials, two are of particular note. The first is to Christoper Kempster, who died in 1715, and was a local quarry-man much favoured by Sir Christopher Wren, who employed him at St Paul's Cathedral.[1] The second of c.1569 is to Edmund Harman and is decorated with relief carvings of South American Indians.[9] In the Gild Chapel are tombs of the Sylvester family.[1]
