Our new rector, Revd Ness Brunner-Ellis, joined us in Spring 2023. Read all about her here.
We would love to welcome you to the restored 12th Century church of St John the Baptist Kingston Lisle. We hold Communion services at 10am on the first Sunday of the month, as well as Christmas and Easter services. We’re also holding an increasing number of baptisms, weddings and funerals. We look forward to welcoming you into our congregation, which has recently quadrupled to reach its highest levels in at least 30 years. The church is always open though the latch ring is stiff!
History
Allegedly founded in response to pagan worship on nearby White Horse Hill, the Grade 2* listed building nestles on the north flank of the Ridgeway escarpment and seats 120. Church historian Nikolaus Pevsner notes the iron hinge work on the main door c.1200, the 14th Century wall paintings (featuring St Peter, St Paul, Herod and Salome, who is seen dancing provocatively and sporting the head of the Baptist on a platter), the 15th-17th Century woodwork and the stained glass. The Victorians added a vestry, porch and bell tower but left the interior largely untouched.
Restoration project
The church was put on Historic England’s “Heritage At Risk” register in October 2014 and we completed a £400,000 restoration in April 2017. Beginning with urgent repairs to the roof, timbers and walls, we re-rendered the exterior, put in new heating and lighting, conserved the wall paintings, redecorated the interior, improved the seating and flooring, and restored the woodwork. We’ve also installed a restored, enhanced and recased pipe organ as the final stage of the process.
The restoration safeguards the building’s structure for generations to come, transforms it for our growing congregation and other visitors from near and far, and enhances its position at the centre of our community.
Monthly Communion service
Our monthly communion service is at 10am on the first Sunday of the month. All ages are most welcome especially children and babies (we have toys!) and we look forward to seeing you there. We normally have coffee and cake after the service
For further information please contact:
Arthur Marment (Churchwarden)
07791 250218
arthur.marment@gmail.com
Nathan Reade (Churchwarden)
07867 417781
nathan_reade@live.co.uk
