Church of St John the Baptist, Keynsham 3.06

The Church of St John the Baptist, is an Anglican parish church in Keynsham Somerset, England. It was built around 1270 and has been designated as a Grade II* listed building.The church was originally closely associated with Keynsham Abbey until its dissolution in 1539. In 1632 the spire collapse and a new bell tower was built at the western end of the church. Restoration and renovation work, under several vicars, has been ongoing since then as the parish and congregation rose and fell. The church has been involved local and international charity work and in the 1970s a team ministry approach was adopted.The stone church includes historic fixtures such as the pulpit, font and brass chandeliers. The organ has grown and been moved since its installation in 1847. There is a story that Handel acquired a previous organ in exchange for two bells, however this is unsubstantiated. The bells in the tower date from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.HistoryThere was a minster church at Keynsham by the ninth century. In the 12th century Keynsham Abbey was founded and served as the place of worship for the town. Around 1270 a church was built for the people of the town with the Abbey being responsible for the chancel and the town for the rest of the church, although the relationship between the abbey and townsfolk was strained at various times until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. The south aisle and south porch date from 1390. The chancel, then the responsibility of Keynsham Abbey, was rebuilt in 1470. The site of the abbey was bought by Sir Henry Bridges in 1552 and, along with his descendants, held the advowson of the church until the 18th century.