Open day at St John's Church

St. John the Baptist Catholic church stands as a memorial to the courageous struggles of the Catholic community in Melton. It was built between 1839 and 1842, as Catholicism was just emerging from penal times, when death by torture had awaited priests and those who harboured them. The whole history of Catholicism in this area is to be found in the small church. What hopes, aspirations, sacrifices and tales of generosity would be revealed if the fabric could tell its story! It was customary to give a church the name of the patron saint of its principal benefactor, and thus “St John the Baptist” as the main benefactor was John Exton, who had previously had a secret chapel at Eastwell Hall. He is depicted in the beautiful East window. It is an early Victorian Gothic Revival building, Grade II listed, with plans inspired by or attributed to the famous AWN Pugin. White’s Directory of 1846 states that Pugin was the designer.

Historians tended to the view that he designed some of the details. However, we have discovered a reference to Pugin as the designer in an official source: "The Laity's Directory" of 1839. This is a very strong indication that he had a major involvement in the design. Many original features, such as the font, the roof timbers and especially the rood screen, (unfortunately lost) are of typical Pugin design.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

Open: 1200 to 1600 Tours: 1300 & 1500

Location & directions

St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1RB

Directions:

The Church is opposite the Melton Carnegie Museum

Contact on day:

John Smalley

Telephone number:

+447851281757

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

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