St John the Evangelist's Catholic Church
St John the Evangelist is Bath's Roman Catholic parish church on South Parade, built in the 1860s to designs by Charles Francis Hansom. Its 222ft spire is one of the tallest points on the city skyline, and the interior holds Hardman stained glass and pink granite columns.
Photos
Joseph Llewellyn
A Victorian landmark by the river
The church was built between 1861 and 1863, and the spire followed in 1867. Hansom worked in the Gothic style, using rock-faced Bath stone outside and circular pink granite piers within. His son, Edward Joseph Hansom, added the baptistery in 1871. The south aisle was destroyed in the 1942 bombing of Bath and later rebuilt to match the original design.
What to look for inside
Look for the iron screen and stained glass by Hardman, and the baptistery shrine, which holds relics of St Justina of Padua. The parish also keeps a set of genuine 15th-century vestments. High above, a pair of peregrine falcons nests in the steeple, and their season can be followed on a webcam.
Fitting it into a visit
St John's is a working parish church, so visit quietly and avoid service times if you want to look around. It sits on the south-east edge of the city centre in the old Ham district, a few minutes on foot from Bath Abbey and the riverside, so it slots easily into a walk along South Parade. The spire is worth seeing from a distance too, as it stands out clearly above the river.
Highlights
- 222ft (68m) spire, added in 1867
- Designed by Charles Francis Hansom
- Hardman stained glass and iron screen
- Relics of St Justina of Padua in the baptistery
- Peregrine falcons nesting in the steeple
Good to know
- An active Catholic parish church - be mindful of services and worshippers
- A few minutes' walk from Bath Abbey and the city centre
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: en.wikipedia.org