St John the Baptist Church, Coventry 1.33

The Collegiate and Parish Church of St John the Baptist is located in the Medieval area of Spon Street in the city centre of Coventry, West Midlands, England. The church is a Grade I listed building.College of BablakeThe church was founded in 1344 by Isabella of France, who granted the guild of St John a piece of land called "Babbelak" for the construction of a chapel in honour of God and St John the Baptist. This was to be used for their own services, but included a chantry of two priests to sing daily Mass for the royal family. The eastern part was ready for consecration on 2 May 1350.In 1393 the number of priests was raised to nine. In the early part of the 16th century this was raised to twelve.The college was dissolved in 1548; the priests were pensioned in sums varying from £5 6s. 8d. to £2 13s. 4d. Five of these pensioners were still living in 1555.WardensJohn Norton c. 1457Robert Glasmond c. 1535Parish churchThe church ceased to be used for worship around 1590. During the English Civil War it was a prison for Scottish rebels captured after the Battle of Preston. Later it was used as stables, then a market and a winding and dying house for cloth. In 1734 it was restored as a place of worship. It is now in the Church of England Diocese of Coventry.St John the Baptist Church possesses a relic of Saint Valentine of Rome, which in 2016 was displayed on the altar in a reliquary during the Mass held on Saint Valentine's Day.