Suffolk Heritage Festival 2026: 14–20 September
As part of Suffolk Heritage Festival, we thought we would take the opportunity to share a little of the history of St John the Baptist Church, Felixstowe, and the special place our church has held in the town for more than a century.
Standing at the highest point in Felixstowe, our church and its distinctive spire have been a familiar part of the town’s skyline for generations. The spire can be seen from many parts of Felixstowe and has become one of our town’s best-known landmarks.
Our history
Our story begins in the 1890s, when Felixstowe was growing rapidly as a seaside town.
1894 – Building begins
Work on St John the Baptist Church began in 1894, with the church designed by the distinguished Victorian architect Sir Arthur Blomfield.
The building was constructed in red brick with Bath stone detailing, with the impressive tower and spire giving the church much of the character we see today.
1895 – The church opens
The church was opened for worship in 1895, providing a new place of worship for the growing community of Felixstowe.
1914 – The church is completed
The church was finally completed in 1914, with the building we know today taking its place as a significant landmark in the town.
Today, St John the Baptist is a Grade II listed building, recognising its architectural and historic importance.
More than just a building
But the history of St John’s isn’t just about bricks, stone and architecture.
For more than 130 years, people have come through our doors to worship, celebrate weddings and baptisms, say goodbye to loved ones, mark important occasions and simply find a quiet place to reflect.
Our church carries the memories of generations of people who have been part of the life of Felixstowe.
A view from the tower?
Being at the highest point in Felixstowemeans that our tower offers the possibility of something rather special – a completely different view of our town.
We are currently considering whether there might be enough interest to start offering Tower Tours in the future.
These could provide an opportunity to learn more about the history of our church, discover parts of the building that aren’t normally accessible to visitors and, of course, enjoy the views from one of Felixstowe’s highest points.
Would you be interested in a Tower Tour?
We would love to hear from you.
If there is enough interest, we will look into the possibility of offering occasional guided Tower Tours in the future.
So, during Suffolk Heritage Festival, 14–20 September 2026, why not take a moment to look up at our spire and remember the remarkable history of the building beneath it?
St John the Baptist Church has been part of Felixstowe since 1895 – and we look forward to continuing to be part of the town’s story for many years to come.
We’d love to hear from you if a Tower Tour is something you would be interested in.
Hiring St John’s Church
St John the Baptist Church is also available for hire, offering a beautiful and versatile space for community groups, music rehearsals, performances, meetings, creative workshops and more.
- £50 hire fee (3 Hours / Half day) plus heating costs in winter
- Great acoustics — perfect for choirs, ensembles and performances
- Lots of space — flexible layout for groups and activities
- Stunning backdrop — ideal for concerts, photography and community events
- Weekday availability, subject to funerals and weddings