Patronal Festival Report - St John the Baptist, Knaresborough

St John the Baptist Church, Knaresborough
Patron Saint: St John the Baptist
Festival Date: 28 June 2026

Knaresborough celebrated the Patronal Festival of ’The Queen’s Church’, the historic Parish Church of St John the Baptist, with a weekend packed full of music and community events. On Wednesday 24th June, the actual Feast Day of St John the Baptist, the Knaresborough Deputy Town Crier, Andrew Richards, included a special announcement in his weekly cry at Knaresborough Market and he also attended the service of Choral Evensong on the Sunday.

The celebrations began in earnest on Saturday 27th June with an Organ Recital by Sean Maxwell, a specialist in early music performance, who treated a small but enthusiastic audience to a fascinating programme featuring music from his new album ‘Pipes & Port’. Following the morning service on Sunday 28th June, the churches dedicated team of volunteer gardeners were on hand to show visitors around the churchyard as part of Knaresborough Open Gardens, whilst the hospitality team served Teas on the Terrace in our church hall, The Hub, which boasts spectacular views of Knaresborough Castle and the Victorian Viaduct over the River Nidd. Meanwhile, the choir were busy rehearsing in the church in preparation for Choral Evensong with many passers-by dropping in to hear the music.

We were fortunate to have secured the services of an outstanding organist, James Lonsdale FRCO, who made the journey across the Pennines to play for the service; as well as welcoming choristers from other choirs, both local and further afield. The augmented choir allowed for an ambitious music programme, including Stanford’s Evening Canticles in A and the spectacular Wesley Anthem ‘Ascribe unto the Lord’, as well as Eleanor Daley’s evocative Anthem ‘Upon Your Heart’. There was a record attendance of 78 for Choral Evensong and congregational feedback following the service was invariably positive. Once comment left in the Church Visitors Book reads: ‘Came to Evensong. God’s presence was here. Outstanding. Such emotional beautiful singing’.

Following the service, Choir and Congregation gathered in the HUB to enjoy refreshments on the terrace to the magnificent sound of the church bells as our band of ringers treated us to a celebratory peal. It was a fitting end to a wonderful weekend which brought the community closer together and raised the profile of Choral Evensong as a service within our town. We are very grateful to the Choral Evensong Trust and their Patrons and Sponsors for their generous support with this event.

Mark Hunter
Director of Music
St John the Baptist Church
Knaresborough