St. John's Church

Who we are

St John’s Church has an extremely long history dating back to around 689, when it was reputedly founded by King Aethelred. The church was in fact for many years the Cathedral of Chester until the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of King Henry VIII. It was also used in the Civil War as a gun embankment by the Parliamentarian forces during the siege of Chester. St. John’s is a sandstone church, with a mainly Norman interior. Outside the church are ruins that came into being with the destruction of the Chancel, Lady Chapel and Choir by King Edward VI’s commissioners, stripping the church back to a more simple style to reflect its new role as a lowly Parish Church. Hidden up in the walls of the ruins is a mysterious coffin, high up above the ground baring the words ‘dust to dust’. A visit to St Johns can be a simple self-led tour, suitable for young people of any age. St. John’s also offers Living History sessions for Key Stage 2 and 3 students led by an experienced guide. A trip to St. John’s can easily be combined with a walk around Grosvenor Park and a visit to Chester’s famous Roman Amphitheatre.