A 200 year tradition
6 June 2025
Birch trees from Longleat Forest are to decorate St John the Baptist Church in Frome for Pentecost – also known as Whitsun - on Sunday in a tradition dating back 200 years.
Head Forester Jim McConkie organised the trees for the display this year from the Longleat estate in Wiltshire, owned by Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess of Bath and traditional Patron of St John's Church
Churchwarden Neil McCormick said: “The displaying of birch branches within the church is a tradition we know has taken place at Pentecost thanks to the generosity of the Thynn family for at least 200 years. It is the first species to come back after a forest fire and is seen as a symbol of new life. If there is a breeze, the rustling of the leaves also reminds us of the wind that the Bible tells us accompanied the Holy Spirit.
“Pentecost marks the arrival of the Holy Spirit after the ascension of Jesus and is taken as the birthday of the church. It marks 50 days since Easter and the end of the Easter season.”
The vicar of St John's, Rev, Seamus Hargrave, added: "Birch trees are also a reminder to the Church that, though it celebrates a birthday two millennia ago, there are always fresh saplings and signs of new life to nurture to fullness. One way that the Spirit manifests in the world is through wind, the Holy Ghost is the breath of God, every time we hear the breeze rustling the leaves of these branches, in St John’s, it is a reminder that God is daily breathing new life and vitality into our Church."
Jim McConkie, Head Forester
“Decorating churches with boughs, particularly birch, was a widespread custom until the late 19th century. We are delighted to support St John’s which is thought to be the only church in the UK which continues with the tradition.”
