Built from the local ironstone the present 14th century parish church of St. Nicholas was rebuilt from an earlier Norman church.

This church is full of treasures. Starting with the South walll of the south aisle there is a C14 piscina, an effigy of a C14 priest on a low tomb chest, and a 1640 wall memorial.

The south aisle windows contain remnant of medieval stained glass dating back to 1330.

The west wall of the south aisle is taken up by a large marble monument by Mary Thorneycroft in memory of Sarah Baroness Braye (d1862), a memorial window to her, by Hardman & Co., can be found in the South Kilworth church of St. Nicholas.

The window in the bell tower contains fragments of medieval glass. The font is C14 with a carved tracery pattern.

The north aisle like the south aisle has a number of monuments. On the west wall is a large marble monument by Richard Westmacott Jr to Robert Otway Cave (d1844) and Sophia Otway Cave (d1849). The north wall has a monument of a lancer by Felix Joubert (1896) dedicated to Edmund Verney (d1879).

Next to the stataue of a lancer is a late Elizanbethan alabaster tomb in memorial to Henry Knollys and his wife Margaret Cave (c1600).

The east window of the north aisle contains glass dated to about 1330-1340 with depictions of the Resurection, Angels, Crucifixion, Virgin, and St John.

Between the north aisle and the nave, is an early Elizabethan alabster monument to Thomas Cave (c1558) and his wife.

At the head end of the tomb chest two putti hold a roundel, at the foot end are representations of his 14 children.

The upper parts of the chancel screen come from Lutterworth, the organ case in the west gallery is C16/C17 and is reputed to come from the Royal Chapel Whitehall.

More medieval stained glass is contained in the east window, and north and south chancel windows.

The chancel has another memorial by Richard Westmacott Jr this time to Thomas Otway Cave (d1830). In addition there is an alabaster memorial to Richard Cave (d1606 Padua) which stands next to the memorial to his parents.

At the east end of the North wall stand a large alabaster memorial to Sir Thomas Cave (d1613) and his wife. The base of which contains reliefs of their children.

Tags: alabaster, effigy, elizabethan, felix joubert, font, jacobean, marble, mary thorneycroft, monument, nicholas, organ, piscina, richard westmacott, stained glass, thorneycroft, tower, westmacott

Built in 1340 the parish church of Clay Coton, Northamptonshire became disused in the 1950. In 2000 it was converted into a private dwelling.

Tags: andrew, tower

The church of St. Margaret in Wolston dates from the 12th century. Rebuilt in the 14th century when the north and south aisles were added, the 15th century saw the addition of the clerestory, and the 12th century low tower was raised to include a belfry in the 17th century.

Originally a cruciform design with south and north transepts which is rare for the area.

The nave is probably from the 14th century, and clerestory being added in the 15th. The roof appears to be 17th century and consists of 5 bays. The octagonal font is from the 14th century. The basin is circular and lead lined. The pedestal is of a much later date.

Whilst the altar is modern the chancel rails are 17th century and originally from Rowington in Warwickshire. The three light window above is 17th century although the glass is victorian. The two light window is by Herbert Bryans.

The chancel was extensively repaired in 1680; and in 1760 the whole roof was decorated in colour, following the gothic tradition, with cheverons, rosettes, the initials M, IHS, carried out in red, white, blue, black, and gold. The bay above the altar has a blue background with gold stars. The sides of the beams are decorated with shields and foliage, with the date 1760 on the western wall-truss.

This piscina and triple sedilia date from the 13th century, the north aisle was added in the 14th century.

Tags: margaret, stained glass, tower

Harborough Magna’s All Saints parish church built of coursed limestone and red sandstone retains the tower, north and south arcades, north aisle, and chancel arch from the 14th century. The chancel, and south aisle were rebuilt when the vestry and clerestory were added in the 19th century.

Tags: stained glass, tower