Late 13th early 14th century Gothic Church of the grand decorated period.

The Arts & Crafts altar was made in 1904 and contains five carved panels. Four are of carved vines with leaves and grapes. The central panel is of the Communion and the Last Supper. The altar rails are dumb-bell balusters are 17th century. The 19th century pews came from All Saints Church, Emscote Lawn in Leamington Spa in 1973 before it was demolished.

The panels above of the 10 Commandments were painted by Eric Gill when the church was restored around 1904. The lettering is a bit hard to read, but I’ve brought it out a bit in post-processing.

The north chapel contains a fine tudor tomb of Sir Thomas Andrews and his two wives, Katherine and Mary. The tomb was built after the death of his first wife Katherine during the reign of ‘Bloody’ Mary. In 2001 major conservation work took place prior to its inclusion in an Exhibition of Medieval Sculpture at the Tate Gallery.

In addition to the tomb there are three magnificent brasses in the centre aisle of the church these are dedicated to three Thomas Andrewes and their wives. In the north aisle a monument of 1590 of Reigate stone which was erected by Thomas Andrewe in memory of his two wives. The monument also depicts their twelve children.

Tags: arts and crafts, brass, eric gill, monument, tomb, tower, trinity

Built of red sandstone in the 11th century, the tower was added in the 15th. St Leonard’s is one of the counties oldest Norman churches in Warwickshire. The land was given to the Coventry Priory in 1043 by Lord Leofric (him of Lady Godiva fame) mainly woodland from what I can gather it was worth at that time 100s, but by 1086 the monks had chopped a good part of it down and it was only worth 60s. A small part of the ancient woodland it still survives though.

An 11th century Norman semi-circular arched doorway remains as the south entrance. The east wall was rebuilt possible in the 15th century of red sandstone.

The turned oak balustrade altar rails are 17th century and the front of the benches has late 15th century carved tracery-headed panels.

The church contains a modern window celebrating the 100th birthday of Florence Mabel Such, and the lives of Brian Frank Howkins, Katherine Mary Mann, Sally Ann Parke, and Dorothy Clarice Smith. And a Victorian memorial window to Anna Latty, the wife of a previous curate, which is set into a 12th century lancet window.

The octagonal font is 12th century, whilst the pulpit is made of 17th century carved panels. The tower is a 15th century addition and its size indicates that the intent was to enlarge the body of the church at that time too.

The south wall of the chancel features a small brass plaque with an inscription to Moses Macham, minister of Ryton. who died 29th June 1712.

Lo here doth ly a shining light
wrapped up in the shades of night
the sheppard is took from his sheep
but O would they his doctrine keep
and practice the rules that he did give
So shall ye Pastor and ye People live.

to the right of the inscription is an engraving showing a lantern standing on a coffin and a skeleton holding on to a tree.

Website.

Tags: brass, leonard, norman, stained glass, tower

Built in the early part of the 12th century, possibly on the site of an earlier Saxon church.

In the mid 12th century the aisles were added. The roof was replaced in the 16th century and a clerestory added. The church retains the original beams of the period with grotesque carvings. The chancel was rebuilt in the late 18th century and again in 1994 when it was extended and the roof raised.

The stained glass windows are all early 20th century by Clayton and Bell of London, who also made the glass in Truro Cathedral. They were a gift of Richard Spencer and his family.

Tags: apse, roof, stained glass, tower

Addition of new vestry and organ chamber, rebuilding of porch, rebuilding of chancel arch and part of chancel south wall, with reseating and general repairs were undertaken in 1885/6.

Tags: thomas, tower