The font is a fine fifteenth-century stone example. Apparently plastered over, it was only rediscovered by accident last century. Two doors lead to tiny rooms in the West porch. These may have been monks' cells. The lower one is usually called the "dungeon" - which it certainly wasn't!

Over the South door is a bread box and an inscription recording the Spearing Bequest of 1690. This bread is still distributed, three centuries on. The Second Poor were those who, while poor, were not quite poor enough to be "on the parish". Spearing's memorial is in the Lady Chapel.

Finally, on either side of the South door are small stone carvings. On the right is the Lamb and Flag of St.John. On the left, more difficult to make out, (she has lost her head) is the Pelican, with her chicks feeding on the blood from her breast - an image of the Body of Christ.

More detail on the monuments and architecture of St. John the Baptist, Axbridge can be found in a minutely detailed year-long survey carried out recently by The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies. For further details on the study please contact the Benefice Office.