| Summary : Site of the Saxon Parish Church of St John the Evangelist in Colchester, Essex. A Saxon church, built of re-used Roman building material, was found in the former grounds of the Benedictine Abbey of St John. It consisted of a stilted apsidal chancel and a square nave, onto which a longer one had been added. The site was part of a late Roman cemetery (TL 92 SE 93) before the construction of the church and part of the monastic cemetery after its destruction. Documentary evidence suggests that this was parish church dedicated to St John the Evangelist, demolished during the early years of the Abbey and replaced by St Giles about 100yds away during the 12th century. |
More information : Site of the Saxon Parish Church of St John the Evangelist in Colchester, Essex. A Saxon church, built of re-used Roman building material, was found in the former grounds of the Benedictine Abbey of St John. It consisted of a stilted apsidal chancel and a square nave, onto which a longer one had been added. The site was part of a late Roman cemetery (TL 92 SE 93) before the construction of the church and part of the monastic cemetery after its destruction. Documentary evidence suggests that this was parish church dedicated to St John the Evangelist, demolished during the early years of the Abbey and replaced by St Giles about 100yds away during the 12th century. (1-2)
Documentary sources indicate that a parish church, founded by a priest named Sigeric, stood on the site prior to the Norman Conquest. A small structure was partly uncovered during the 1972 excavations in the area. This area has since been landscaped to form the steep verge on the south side of St Botolph's Circus. The building, which had rubble foundations and reused Roman masonry incorporated in the lower course of the walls, is considered to be Sigeric's Church of St John the Evangelist. The excavations revealed a narrow structure, around 6m wide, orientated east to west and divided into three cells, the eastern cell, or chancel, having an apsidal east wall. The southern edge of the building and the greater part of the western cell were not excavated. These remain preserved toward the top of the verge. (3) |