About Us
Welcome!
Welcome to the restored 12th Century church of St John the Baptist Kingston Lisle. We hold Communion services at 10.15am 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 10.15am 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.
Nearby
On Blowing Stone Hill (left out of church, left again, go straight up hill after crossroads and it is 200 yards up on your LHS) you will find the Blowing Stone itself. You can buy a history sheet at the stone which tells the intriguing story of its history.
Further up this road there is a Ridgeway Crossing (you can park) and it is a pleasant walk to White Horse Hill (allow 80 minutes). The White Horse cut into the chalk is the oldest and biggest in the UK.
Also on the Village is The Blowing Stone Pub (aka The Blower) . Turn right out of church and it’s 150 yards down the road.
Website
To visit the village website go to www.kingstonlisle.net