The hospital of St John stood outside the Abbey Gateway. It was the home of six poor persons fed and clothed by the abbey.

This site continued as an Almshouse after the dissolution of the Abbey in 1538, and was one of many responsibilities taken over by the new Borough of Abingdon in 1556.

The area next to the gateway became a centre of Corporate administration and the building was eventually taken over for the Borough’s own use.

St Johns almshouse in the Vineyard was built in its place for the care of six poor people. The sign reads “St John’s Hospital endowed before the Reformation, Rebuilt by The Corporation of Abingdon… Anno Dom 1801.”

A little further north, there is a road called St John’s Road.

St John was the disciple most closely associated with Mary, the mother of Jesus. St Johns Hospital was originally built near the Abbey dedicated to “Our Lady”.

St Johns Road (pictured) has grown up next to “Our Lady’s Convent.”