The Church of St John the Baptist
St John’s Church, Fleet Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3AY
St John’s is steeped in history, having been founded by Queen Isabella in 1344. It served as a place of worship until the 1530s, after which it was used for a variety of purposes, such as a dyer’s yard, and as a prison during the Civil War. It is believed that the phrase “sent to Coventry” originated from the use of this church as a prison at that time.
Much of our stained glass was lost in the blitz, but we have stunning modern glass from the 1950s, which complements our medieval building. Many come to see the Green Man carving, as well as other grotesques in the church. Tours from our experienced guides are available on request when the church is open for Heritage Open Days.
St John’s Church, Fleet Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3AY