Join the St John’s Team to explore the rich heritage of this long-standing church including the impressive 11th-century Norman columns.

There will be three tours of St. John's Church on Wednesday 16 September at 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm. Each tour will last about 45 minutes.

Renovated in the late 19th Century after its massive western tower collapsed, the church retains magnificent Norman columns and examples of later Medieval architecture. One column has a fresco depicting St John the Baptist dating from the early 14th Century.

The church of has a history that spans the centuries with origins from before the Norman conquest as an important Saxon Minster. It was founded when Chester was part of the ancient kingdom of Mercia. Adjacent to Chester’s Roman amphitheatre, it is on a site that is believed to be associated with worship from very dawn of Christianity in the British Isles.

Its rich history includes occupation by parliamentarian troops during the English Civil War as part of the siege of royalist Chester. Among its many interesting features is the organ that was used for the Coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838. This is housed in an impressive (and substantial) wooden case dating from 1895 which was designed by the eminent local architect T M Lockwood, the architect responsible for Chester’s iconic half-timber revival 1888 Cross Buildings.

Meeting Point:In the porch of St. John's

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Entrance/ porch to the church

Cancellation Policy: Please notify us in advance if you are unable to attend this event. Tickets are limited and could be transferred to another person with notice. Love our Heritage – let’s share it with everyone.

Please note that refreshments will be available from the church café to purchase prior to or after each tour – there will be a small charge (proceeds go to St John’s).

The Church is open daily from 11am-3pm except on Sundays but on Wednesday 16 September is a Community Day that as well as the tours includes a concert by Dunelm Duo at 1pm, The Chapter House is open from 2pm-4pm weather permitting and Paul Hyde will be giving a talk entitled A Trek Through Triassic Chester at 7.30pm which can be booked on eventbrite.

Description supplied by the event organiser.