The Church of St John the Baptist in Axbridge is a pretty little church which has served the parish since the 1400’s although there was a church on this site long before that. The church is on a raised area just outside the corner of the village square, so at first you don’t see it but then you peek it between two elegant buildings. There are curved steps of puddingstone leading up to the little paved area at the front, then more curved steps leading into the church; it is so pretty.
As you walk in you can see the font, I wonder how many babies have been baptised in it since it was made in fifteenth century? Walking down the aisle you can’t help but notice the carvings on the end of the Victorian pews, done by very skilled craftsmen.
Look up, look up and you’ll see the most fabulous ceiling! You can’t believe that it was done in 1636 and the workman was paid £10:50!
The Spearing’s Gift, a charitable bequest is still given; the ‘second poor’ are those who are not quite destitute, they would be given parish relief.
Lois Elsden 
That ceiling is stunning, and surprising to me in its design — not what I associate with churches. Very snowflake-like (but then I have snow on the mind these days!), or geometric, which makes one think more of Islam. Is it a traditional design of that era, in that part of the country?
LikeLike
It is quite common to have beautifully decorated ceilings. The bosses – the round things, often have interesting designs, sometimes religious but often mythological or topical! Always look up when you go in a church!
http://www.stjohnthebaptistaxbridge.org.uk/history.asp
LikeLike