The Church of St John the Baptist is the parish church and is set back from the High Street near the Guildhall. It is also the Civic church and many mayors of Windsor are buried in the church and churchyard.
The building dates from 1822 and replaced an ancient church with Saxon and Norman work which was falling down. The new building kept the medieval layout, and retained several burial vaults under the church floor. The chancel was extended with an apse in 1870.and apse were added. Many of the old memorials were rescued and placed in the new building. From the outside it is a rather characterless building with a plain tower at the west end and low battlemented side aisles.
Steps lead up to the west door. In the porch is a splendid memorial to Mrs Paget of Reading who died in 1666 and was buried here with her second husband.
The inside is more interesting than the outside, with a gallery around three sides. Tall slender cast iron columns support the roof were floated down the Thames. Above the west door is a painting of the Last Supper by Franz de Cleyn, who was court painter to James VI of Scotland and I of England. This originally hung in St George’s Chapel before being given to St John the Baptist by George III. It hung above the altar until the apse was added in the late C19th. It has been described as a ‘National Treasure’.
Just inside the door is the font.
Midway down the nave is the mayor’s pew with the Royal Arms of the Borough of Windsor.
On the side walls are memorials to the great and good, many of which came from the old church.
One of the most attractive is the 1605 memorial to Edward and Elinor Jobson and their six sons, including a baby and four daughters.
A delicately carved screen separates the chancel from the nave. This was placed here to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. The choir stalls were removed as part of the Millennium Project in 2000 to give space for the many concerts held during the year.
The chancel apse has a lovely ‘boat’ ceiling with carved stone angels playing musical instruments around the base.
The base of the five sides of the apse are covered by a beautiful golden mosaic reredos with images of angels and symbols of the passion. It is topped with stone angels. (This is best seen on a bright sunny day when the mosaic glows.) Above are five lancet stained glass windows.
On the right is the royal pew with the two thrones being given by Princes Augusta, the daughter of George III who regularly worshipped here, when she lived at Frognore House. Later, King George V and Queen Mary also attended the church when Prince and Princess of Wales. Across the front is a rail with panels of a pelican feeding its young, that were carved by Grinling Gibbons. This again was gifted to the Church by George III from St George’s Chapel.
Opposite is the vestry with flags of the Royal Airforce and Royal Navy.
Most people visit windsor for the castle and don't bother about the church. This is a shame as there is a lot to see and enjoy in the church. it is open daily.
website
The building dates from 1822 and replaced an ancient church with Saxon and Norman work which was falling down. The new building kept the medieval layout, and retained several burial vaults under the church floor. The chancel was extended with an apse in 1870.and apse were added. Many of the old memorials were rescued and placed in the new building. From the outside it is a rather characterless building with a plain tower at the west end and low battlemented side aisles.
Steps lead up to the west door. In the porch is a splendid memorial to Mrs Paget of Reading who died in 1666 and was buried here with her second husband.
The inside is more interesting than the outside, with a gallery around three sides. Tall slender cast iron columns support the roof were floated down the Thames. Above the west door is a painting of the Last Supper by Franz de Cleyn, who was court painter to James VI of Scotland and I of England. This originally hung in St George’s Chapel before being given to St John the Baptist by George III. It hung above the altar until the apse was added in the late C19th. It has been described as a ‘National Treasure’.
Just inside the door is the font.
Midway down the nave is the mayor’s pew with the Royal Arms of the Borough of Windsor.
On the side walls are memorials to the great and good, many of which came from the old church.
One of the most attractive is the 1605 memorial to Edward and Elinor Jobson and their six sons, including a baby and four daughters.
A delicately carved screen separates the chancel from the nave. This was placed here to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. The choir stalls were removed as part of the Millennium Project in 2000 to give space for the many concerts held during the year.
The chancel apse has a lovely ‘boat’ ceiling with carved stone angels playing musical instruments around the base.
The base of the five sides of the apse are covered by a beautiful golden mosaic reredos with images of angels and symbols of the passion. It is topped with stone angels. (This is best seen on a bright sunny day when the mosaic glows.) Above are five lancet stained glass windows.
On the right is the royal pew with the two thrones being given by Princes Augusta, the daughter of George III who regularly worshipped here, when she lived at Frognore House. Later, King George V and Queen Mary also attended the church when Prince and Princess of Wales. Across the front is a rail with panels of a pelican feeding its young, that were carved by Grinling Gibbons. This again was gifted to the Church by George III from St George’s Chapel.
Opposite is the vestry with flags of the Royal Airforce and Royal Navy.
Most people visit windsor for the castle and don't bother about the church. This is a shame as there is a lot to see and enjoy in the church. it is open daily.
website