Saint John the Baptist, Melton Mowbray

Introduction

Saint John the Baptist in Melton Mowbray was consecrated in April 1842 by the Rt Rev Dr Thomas Walsh, Vicar Apostolic of the Central District.

History

There is a long-standing tradition that the church was designed by A. W. N. Pugin, but the exact nature of his involvement is unclear and the architect is often listed as Edward James Willson of Lincoln.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is built of red brick with stone dressings, has a tiled roof in the Decorated style, and features a gable end to the street with a bellcote and angle buttresses. The church's stone string course is carried over the centre door, and the centre window is flanked by blind, ogee arched niches. Inside the church there is a rear gallery and a delicate chancel screen.

Parish life

The parish runs a branch of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society that visits and helps the needy and lonely. The parish runs the Silver Circle elderly social group. The parish supplies food for families in poverty at Christmas through two schemes, including the local Brownlow Well-being Hub. The parish hosts social and cultural events in its church and hall, such as concerts, talks, and a Christmas Wreath Festival, run by Friends of St John's Church.

The parish and community hall, opened in May 2026, will allow the parish to extend its current activities. The parish runs a group led by the Franciscan Sisters Minoress for lay people to introduce Franciscan spirituality. Friends of St John's Church is a registered charity formed to support the preservation and conservation of St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The parish runs a fortnightly prayer group to pray for families, the community and other intentions.

St John's Lunch Club provides free, simple hot meals and a place to chat every Thursday in the parish hall. The parish St Vincent de Paul Society is part of an international Christian voluntary network dedicated to tackling poverty by providing practical assistance to those in need.

The parish hall is situated in the centre of Melton Mowbray next to the parish church of St John the Baptist, opened in 2026, and is a modern flexible space to hire. The church has disabled access via the Sacristy and a ramp to the nave.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish asks parents to complete a baptismal course before baptism. Confirmation candidates must be at least 11 and a half years old. Children attending St Francis Catholic Primary School are automatically informed when First Holy Communion preparation classes begin, normally around age 7 or 8. Couples must attend an obligatory one-day marriage preparation workshop. The parish asks to be informed if someone is in hospital, sick or housebound, so that Holy Communion can be brought to them.