St John the Evangelist looks like a typical parish church with its square battlemented tower with very tall corner pinnacles. Its tower dominates this end of the town.
The church was built in 1838 as part of the Catholic revival and was one of and was one of 35 Catholic churches built at that time in the area. The furnishings in the sanctuary are attributed to Pugin.
Inside it is a light and airy building with whitewashed walls and a painted chancel arch with the deep burgundy chancel behind.
The small gallery at the back of the church has the organ. Statues of the Virgin Mary and Sacre Coeur stand on small columns on either side of the chancel arch and there are the Stations of the Cross round the walls. Illuminated beneath the altar is an old carved stone with the crucifixion.
This is an attractive church although there is nothing special to draw in the visitors. The church is open daily from 7am. There is plenty of parking in the market place a short walk away. The post code is OX16 9AF and the grid reference is SP 454401.
