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Described as "one of the most ambitious parish churches in Somerset",〔http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-265926-church-of-st-john-the-baptist-glastonbur#.Vg7skWYtC1s〕 the present Church of St John the Baptist in Glastonbury, Somerset, England, dates from the 15th century and has been designated as a Grade I listed building. However, this church replaced an earlier one. Recent excavations in the nave have revealed the foundations of a large central tower that possibly dated from Saxon times, and a later Norman nave arcade on the same plan as the existing one. A central tower survived until the 15th Century, but is believed to have collapsed, at which time the church was rebuilt.〔http://www.stjohns-glastonbury.org.uk (official church website)〕 In the north aisle, 12th century fabric survives in the former Saint Katherine's Chapel.〔"Great Britain: The Green Guide", By Michelin Travel & Lifestyle, 2012〕 The church is laid out in a cruciform plan with an aisled nave and a clerestorey of seven bays. The west tower has elaborate buttressing, panelling and battlements. The interior of the church includes four 15th-century tomb-chests, some 15th-century stained glass in the chancel, medieval vestments, and a domestic cupboard of about 1500 which was once at Witham Charterhouse. Tower and Bells The tower rises to a height of 134½ feet (about 41 metres), and is the second tallest parish church tower in Somerset.〔 The tower is unusual in that it has a chiming clock, but no clock face.〔 There has been a set of bells at St John's Church since 1403. The oldest existing bell was originally made in 1612 and inscribed 'I sound to bid the sick repent in hope of life when breath is spent'. This bell was recast in 1992. The church has a ring of eight bells; the largest, the tenor bell, is about 14 cwt or about 712 kg and the smallest, the treble, is about 5 cwt or 250 kg.〔 Churchyard In the churchyard is a thorn tree grown from a cutting from the Glastonbury Thorn. A blossom from this tree is sent to the Queen every Christmas. At the end of term, the pupils of St John’s Infants School gather round the tree in St John’s parish churchyard on the High Street. They sing carols, including one specially written for the occasion, and the oldest pupil has the privilege of cutting the branch of the Glastonbury Thorn that is then taken to London and presented to Her Majesty The Queen. Current Ministry and Profile The current vicar of Saint John's, Glastonbury is the Reverend David MacGeoch, assisted by the Reverend Sister Diana Greenfield, the Reverend Robin Ray and a team of lay readers. It is linked with the parishes of St Benedict's Church in Glastonbury and St Mary's & All Saints Church in the village of Meare as a joint benefice. The church has a strong musical tradition, with a talented choir under the leadership of Derek Dorey, musical director, organist and choirmaster.〔 ==See also== * List of Grade I listed buildings in Mendip * List of towers in Somerset 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Church of St John the Baptist, Glastonbury」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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