Hospital of St John Baptist without the Barrs

Plaque indicating the site of the city walls

In 1129, Roger de Clinton was appointed Bishop of Lichfield. He built a new cathedral fortified the Cathedral Close and laid out a new town. Finally he constructed a defensive ditch and walls around the city.[2] There were four gates or 'barrs' allowing movement in and out of the city walls, which were closed at 8 or 9 at night and reopened at 7 in the morning.[3]

This created a problem for pilgrims and travellers to the city who arrived after the gates had closed for the night. At this time Lichfield was a popular place for pilgrims as the new cathedral housed a shrine with the remains of St Chad. To provide shelter for these many pilgrims and travellers outside the city walls, Bishop de Clinton ordered the building of a priory just outside the southern gate where the road from London entered the city. The priory was completed in 1135 and the Bishop installed Augustinian Canons with solemn vows to provide food and shelter for the travellers. This priory brought into being 'The Hospital of St John Baptist without the Barrs’ (hospital referred to a place of hospitality and not to health care).[2]

Adjacent to the southern city gates a chapel was built (where it stands today). South of the chapel a long stone building was built to provide a home to the Augustinian Canons and where the travellers and pilgrims were accommodated. For the next 300 years, St John's carried out the function of serving travellers and pilgrims coming to Lichfield.[2]

By the middle of the 15th century the city gates had fallen into disuse and would be left open. When William Smyth was appointed Bishop of Lichfield he aimed to put St John's to better use. In 1495 Bishop Smyth refounded the priory as a hospital for aged men. It was ordained that there should be “thirteen honest poor men upon whom the inconveniences of old age and poverty without any fault of their own, had fallen”.[3]

The Chapel of St John

In addition to their lodging the men would receive seven pence a week. Bishop Smyth initiated the rebuilding of the Canons hall. A three-storey Masters Hall was built to the west of the chapel and a new wing was added south of the chapel. The new Tudor building with its row of eight chimneys provided a great advance with each resident having his own room and fireplace.[2] This is the building we see today fronting St John's Street currently. In 1720 the Masters Hall was rebuilt once again by Edward Maynard to keep with modern Georgian architectural tastes.[4] The stone tablet above the doorway also dates from 1720.[4]

By the end of the 17th century through neglect the chapel has fallen into a ruinous state. Throughout the 19th Century under the care of Philip Hayman Dod, the master of the hospital, the chapel was restored. In 1829 an aisle was built on its north side, the former wall being replaced by a three bay arcade, a stone bell-cote containing one bell was placed above the east end of the north aisle. The gallery in the north aisle was removed, and the arcade was rebuilt in a more orthodox Gothic style. Medieval windows in the south wall of the chapel also appear to have been renewed. The chapel was reseated, and most of the 17th- and 18th-century fittings, which had included a three-decker pulpit, were cleared away. In 1870 the walls and nave were raised, buttresses were added to the outside of the south wall and a new high pitched roof was installed.[4]

John Piper Window

In 1929 the resident's rooms were rearranged to overlook a central quadrangle. The rooms were also upgraded with new gas heating and sanitation facilities. In 1958 the Masters House was renovated with the top floor converted into flats. In 1966/67 the south and western sides of the quadrangle were constructed by Louis de Soissons Architects with a house for the warden and a two-storey building with four two bedroomed flats.[5] It was in the 1960s when married couples were allowed to take residence in the hospital. In 1984 the stained glass in the east window of the chapel was replaced by a magnificent interpretation of 'Christ in Majesty' by John Piper.[2]

In 2001 the original 1495 east wing was extended with external staircases attached to the quadrangle side. The accommodation was also renovated to modern 21st century standards. A sculpture of ‘Noah and the Dove’ designed by Simon Manby was commissioned by the trustees in 2006 and stands in the quadrangle.[2]

Today approximately 16 men or married couples are accommodated permanently. Prayers for Bishops Clinton and Smyth are said each morning (except Friday) in the chapel and the residents are expected to attend these services. The chapel remains a place of public worship, and the master ministers to a regular congregation. During the last forty years or so the services have been of an Anglo-Catholic nature. At the present time there is a Sung Eucharist every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, and baptisms, weddings, and burial services are held in the chapel.[4]