St. John's Church
St. John's Church
4.5
About
Built in 1660, this church overlooks the Scotland District and features a pulpit made of six different kinds of wood.
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4.5
145 reviews
Excellent
70
Very good
64
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
0
rhondal519
Topeka, KS18 contributions
Mar 2020
This gothic-design church built in the 1600s is in impeccable condition! The interior built with beautiful deep Mahogany is unbelievably preserved, and the adjacent cemetery on the property is just as fascinating. A spectacular view from this vantage point. So fortunate to be able to visit St. John's Church, it's a must-see on Barbados.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scotlass508
Edinburgh, UK391 contributions
Apr 2013 • Solo
Stumbled across this beautiful church, found the grave of Everton Weeks the famous cricket player, and the last Prime Minister who died very young and quite recently.
Written 28 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bigglesStrathaven
Glasgow, UK700 contributions
Mar 2020
The graveyard has the ex prime minister buried in his favourite spot overlooking views that he loved.,the church is small but lovely decorations inside and well worth looking round before exploring the cemetary within its grounds.
Written 24 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert P
Chesterfield, VA1,355 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
St. John's Parish Church is as much or more a historical structure as it is a house of worship. Parishioners built the classic Gothic church in 1846 to replace a previous structure destroyed by hurricane in 1831. The church added the chancel in 1876. The grounds are serene and the cliff-edge site has a sweeping view of the picturesque east coast. Locals say the church is on what is arguably the most romantic location on the island. The church has panoramic views that span from Ragged Point in the east to Pico Tenerife in the north.
Its history includes a connection to Constantinople, now Istanbul. It is the final resting place of Ferdinando Paleologus who was the last descendant of the second brother of Constantine, the last Christian Emperor of Constantinople. A granite tombstone marks Paleologus' tomb in the rear of church's cemetery. The church is brimming with titillating discoveries like the grave of Thomas Hughes. It is directly behind that of Paleologus. Hughes is in a standing position at his own request since he rarely sat in the job which he held.
The church has an elaborately carved pulpit made of six different woods; ebony, locust, Barbados mahogany, manchineel, oak and pine. St. John’s Parish Church is also the location of one of only two intact sundials in Barbados, the other located at Codrington College, just a short distance away. You can still use this circular brass dial to gauge time.
There is a sculpture in the church showing the Madonna and Child with the infant Saint John and a hand crafted wooden stair case. The columns, pews and organ loft are made from Cedar and Pitch Pine.
There were vendors set up in the parking lot. I believe there was some sort of festival going on. There are restrooms in the church and parking in the churchyard and across the street.
If you are a lover of old churches this is a must stop. The history of the church makes it that much more inviting. It’s worth the trip.
Its history includes a connection to Constantinople, now Istanbul. It is the final resting place of Ferdinando Paleologus who was the last descendant of the second brother of Constantine, the last Christian Emperor of Constantinople. A granite tombstone marks Paleologus' tomb in the rear of church's cemetery. The church is brimming with titillating discoveries like the grave of Thomas Hughes. It is directly behind that of Paleologus. Hughes is in a standing position at his own request since he rarely sat in the job which he held.
The church has an elaborately carved pulpit made of six different woods; ebony, locust, Barbados mahogany, manchineel, oak and pine. St. John’s Parish Church is also the location of one of only two intact sundials in Barbados, the other located at Codrington College, just a short distance away. You can still use this circular brass dial to gauge time.
There is a sculpture in the church showing the Madonna and Child with the infant Saint John and a hand crafted wooden stair case. The columns, pews and organ loft are made from Cedar and Pitch Pine.
There were vendors set up in the parking lot. I believe there was some sort of festival going on. There are restrooms in the church and parking in the churchyard and across the street.
If you are a lover of old churches this is a must stop. The history of the church makes it that much more inviting. It’s worth the trip.
Written 17 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CGT21
Henlow, UK320 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
You could easily believe you were back in UK at Sunday morning Service, dating back to 17th century many of the graves tell the history of this island as it evolved out of slavery to its modern day status. Well worth the few moments reflection standing in the nave.
Written 5 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen F
New York City, NY77 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
We stopped by this wonderful church during a tour of Barbados and it was lovely! The church and cemetery are filled with history and the views are breathtaking. Inside the church are many memorial plaques are heart wrenching. One in particular had the usual name and dates and then "Beloved in life, lamented in death". The church - still in use - provides a quiet respite from the usual tourist attractions. We loved it.
Written 25 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hamilton D
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico69 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
St. Johns’s church is 400 years old and open to the public. The view of the east coast of Barbados is beautiful. This is not a destination, but a lovely stop on the way to or from Bathsheba. The grave markers tell an interesting story of the history of this place. Well worth the 30 minutes it takes to walk around. The view is so nice we always stop whenever we are passing that way.
Written 17 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James S
Sparks, NV119 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
This was one of the stops on our island tour with our cruise ship.The church was open so we got to go in and see the pipe organ and beautiful alter but the most interesting part was the grave yard in the back of the church with all the old Graves and tombstones.
Written 7 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HabLeaf
Larne, UK747 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
A very beautiful church with a lot of history and splendid views across the coastline.
This was a surprise as you don't expect anything going back as far as this.
Well worth the visit.
This was a surprise as you don't expect anything going back as far as this.
Well worth the visit.
Written 24 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris T
Ballyclare, UK8 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
It's well worth going here...what a beautiful view from this church.
This is our third visit to this church.
You do get a real sense of history walking around the church and the church yard. It's a wee drive but worth it.
This is our third visit to this church.
You do get a real sense of history walking around the church and the church yard. It's a wee drive but worth it.
Written 22 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you light a candle inside and say a prayer for someone?
Written 30 August 2018
I saw many people praying however I did not see any candles being lit.
Written 11 September 2018
hi, the name of the former prim-minster berried in st johns churchyard thanks peter m
Written 12 February 2018
I think it's David Thompson. Check out the other member's reviews...I'm sure they have the name. Hope that helps.
Have fun in Barbados....we did!
Cheers!!
Written 12 February 2018
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