The Church of St John The Baptist, Fladbury

In the mid 7th century Christianity came at last to the great Kingdom of Mercia.. As centres of evangelism monasteries, perhaps more properly called minsters, were established in various places. Fladbury, an important royal manor, was the site of one of these early Anglo-Saxon minsters. In 691 the manor of Fladbury together with its monastery was granted by Ethelred King of Mercia to the Bishop of Worcester. Of the early Saxon buildings nothing remains. The present church dates from the 12th century but only the tower dates back to Norman times. The church was rebuilt in 1340 but has undergone extensive restoration.

There are many historical and architectural features of interest, notably the Georgian ceiling in the Nave, the 14^th century Porch with the medieval scratch sundial, the medieval glass panel of the Virgin and Child behind the Lady Chapel altar, interesting old brasses on the floor in the Chancel of past Rectors of Fladbury, the de Montfort window in the Chancel with its heraldic shields, the impressive tomb of Sir John Throckmorton (1445) and Eleanor his wife under the Tower.

The Church enjoys a central situation in the village and is very much part of the lives of both the regular worshippers and also the many long-established residents of the village some of whom are maybe less frequent in their attendance of church services.  St John’s is the largest of the five churches in the parish and holds concerts from time to time, and services for special occasions as well as hosting the annual Flower Festival at the village Walkabout.  There is a celebration of Holy Communion at 8.00 am at least twice a month on Sundays and a 10.00 am service every Sunday which will be either a Communion Service or a Morning Service.  The Parish joins together on the first Sunday of each month for a United Communion service and this is shared between all five churches.  To help forge its already close links with the First School in the Village, a Eucharist is held for the school every Thursday morning during term time, and, of course, any one is welcome to attend.

The eight bells in the Tower are rung regularly by a dedicated team of bell ringers and the tower is floodlit at weekends and for special occasions.  Coffee is served after the morning services in the recently cleared west end of the church and much cheerful chit-chat and socialising takes place on those occasions!  Congregations, by today’s standards, are quite good numerically, though we are always on the look out to increase them and welcome all newcomers most heartily!

Article: Philip Hildesly
Photographs: Pearl Gibson