9
Dec

Ryton-on-Dunsmore – St. Leonard.

   Posted by: churches   in Rugby District, Warwickshire

St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore

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.

St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore Chancel St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore Chancel and nave St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore

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.

Chancel rails St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore Carved panels St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore

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

 

Memorial window St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore Memorial window St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore Memorial window St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore

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.

 

Font St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore Pulpit St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore Tower St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore

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.
Brass engraving St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore Brass engraving St Leonard - Ryton on Dunsmore

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.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 10:31 pm and is filed under Rugby District, Warwickshire. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

11 comments so far

Hazel Smith
 1 

Thank you for visiting St Leonard’s. We are very fond of our old church and your photos do it justice. We hope to be able to welcome you again.

December 10th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
churches
 2 

Thanks. I hope to add some recordings of bell ringing next year so I hopefully I’ll be able to arrange a return.

December 11th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Jean McCormick
 3 

How thrilled I was to see this website with a picture of the stained glass window in memory of my great-great grandmother Anna Latty Wedge. My great-great grandfather John Jaques Wedge was the curate of St Leonard's at the time of her death. Thank you so much for making all this information available to those of us who live far away from Warwickshire.

July 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
walwyn
 4 

Thank you for your comment. I'm glad that you are able to see the memorial and the church that it is in.

July 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
irisclay
 5 

Thank you so much for this page !! My ancestors, Thomas Clay and Ann Checkley were married at this church on 18 July 1766. It is such a beautiful church, and is really great to see so many pictures. It somehow brings the past to life and is now definately on my list of places to visit. Thank you again. Iris Clay.

August 18th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Walwyn
 6 

Hi there, glad the photos were of use to you. If you do decide to visit the church and are traveling some distance < ahref=”http://www.achurchnearyou.com/venue.php?V=13021&P=1″>contact them beforehand as the church is normally locked.

August 18th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
irisclay
 7 

Thank you so much for this page !! My ancestors, Thomas Clay and Ann Checkley were married at this church on 18 July 1766. It is such a beautiful church, and is really great to see so many pictures. It somehow brings the past to life and is now definately on my list of places to visit. Thank you again. Iris Clay.

August 18th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Walwyn
 8 

Hi there, glad the photos were of use to you. If you do decide to visit the church and are traveling some distance < ahref=”http://www.achurchnearyou.com/venue.php?V=13021&P=1″>contact them beforehand as the church is normally locked.

August 18th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Giewook Richard Koo
 9 

Hello St. Leonard,

Miyong and Kangmin remembers this church as a beautiful one and church goers as very kind. I would like to reach Marilyn & John who were lovely neighbours while Miyong and My family were living on 22 St. Leonard's Walk. Anybody who knows them, please tell them about this posting. Thank you.

http://www.facebook.com/giewook.koo

http://www.facebook.com/giewook.koo#!/album.php?aid=277729&id=521606239

Best wishes,

Richard Koo

September 18th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
mike
 10 

You may know that there are 2 memorials in the Church in Hampton in Arden to Anna, her husband and son .

January 21st, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Bernice Medcalf (Murry)
 11 

My mother, Elizabeth Joan Rogers, grew up in Ryotn-on-Dunsmore, adopted daughter of her uncle Walter Rogers. She was married in St. Leonards in 1945. I am her only daughter. I spent several summers in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, visiting the butchers next door, passing the pub across the street and sitting in the churchyard. Ultimately, I would like to leave my mother’s ashes to rest in the churchyard when I return to England to retire in 1 year. England has changed so much but we must all try to preserve its history, beauty and St. Leonards is an example of that.

July 6th, 2011 at 8:19 am
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