St. Johns Church (Chester)
St. Johns is a fine old church in the ancient city of Chester, superbly positioned overlooking the River Dee, just outside the City Walls.
Originally founded in the Anglo - Saxon period, it served as the cathedral of the Mercia diocese from 1075 to 1095.
When Henry VIII converted the Abbey of St. Werburgh into Chester Cathedral, the status of St. Johns was severely diminished.
There is much Norman work in the church, and a somewhat macabre monument consisting of a full length skeleton in a shroud.
The West window, by Edward Frampton, has scenes from Chesters history, including the escape of Charles I across the Dee.
There are ruins of the earlier churches on the site adjoining the East end, including Anglo - Saxon crosses and tombstones.