St. John the Baptist Church, Cirencester

One of the first things you notice in most of the parish churches we visited in the UK is that the space is used in many ways that are different from the original plan. Here, in St. John the Baptist Church, we see the baptismal font and lovely tomb just below the amazing stained glass window alongside a totally odd-seeming church model and show-and-tell board. Somehow, it feels out of place.

The attention to detail in the monument to George Monax (died 1638) is really spectacular. He was a successful wool merchant and the high sheriff under Charles I. The font was found in the churchyard (!) in the 1850's and brought back into the church. It is regularly used for baptisms.

Close by is this remarkable cope. It is dated to 1478 and belonged to Ralph Parsons, the Chantry Priest of the Trinity Chapel.

Below is a view of the nave tower with its stained glass windows up high and the choir screen.