ST. MARY'S CHURCH - WIGSTON PARVA

This is reputed to be one of the smallest and oldest Churches in Leicestershire dated 1160 or even earlier.

There is no land belonging to the Church save that upon which it stands. At one time in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Claybrook, the village was annexed to the Parish of Sharnford in 1904 by an Order in Council.

THE CHURCH

There was once a semi-circular headed door on the North Side with the usual Norman Label on the Arch, and on the South Side there is a lancet window partly walled up. The stained glass window was installed in 1969 in
memory of Mr. A.L. Kibble. The West Window has at some time been filled in with tracery. The roof is of the decorative period as may be seen from a small boss on one of the beams.

AUMBRY

The Aumbry on the South Side of the Altar is in a good state of preservation minus it's oak door and lock.

THE FONT

As you enter the Church you will notice the font, which came from Hemingford Church, Huntingford, and was given to this Church during the Vicariate of the Rev. C.F. Hayter (Vicar of Claybrook 1871 - 1912). The Pewter Paten and Chalice with a combined weight of 15¼ ounces is about 100 years old, though it appears older.

THE ALTAR

The Altar was presented to the Church by the Rector and Churchwardens of Thurmaston, Leicestershire, in about 1909, and is a hansome one with Corinthian Pillars. The oak Alter Screen was erected in 1965.

RESTORATION

There was a partial restoration about 1845 largely through the help and energy of Mrs. Harris of "Sharnford Shade". A complete restoration took place during the incumbency of the Rev. Hayter of Claybrook, but urgently needs doing again.

PEWS

High Pews were in use until about 1900.

St Marys Church Interior

The following is an extract from 'Historical Notes on Sharnford and Wigston Parva' by Rev A. W. Fothergill 1928.

During 1925 the Church was thoroughly cleansed and colour washed at a cost of £15, and in 1927 the chairs which had been in use for 27 years were found to be infected with the Death Watch Beetle and they had to be cleared out and new ones obtained, which cost about £11. These two sums were cleared off very quickly through the help of some outside friends and the donations of the Parishioners.

There is a charity, left by Richard Warner, of five shillings per annum, payable at Easter by the Claybrook Charity Trustees to a deserving Communicant of the Church of England living at Wigston Parva. There is no age limit, nor is anything said about sex. Also William Musson, Gent., of Little Wigston, gave by will to the Churchwardens of Claybrook £10 to be put out at interest by them; the yearly produce to be laid out by them in bread, and distributed amongst the poor on Christmas Day.

GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

Between 1871 and 1904 the Font from Hemingford, Huntingdon. About 1909 the Altar Table from Thurlaston, Leicestershire. 1926, Fair Linen Altar and Credence Table Cloth, Miss Thorogood. Silver Plated Communion Set in Case, The Vicar and friends. Case for Pewter Paten and Cup, The Rev. A. W. Fothergill. Hangings for Reading Desk and Pulpit, The Rev. A. W. Fothergill. Two Brass Candlesticks, The Rev. A. W. Fothergill. Two Brass Vases, The Rev. A. W. Fothergill. The Bible, in memory of Matilda Pole and her Nurse, Mrs. Winson; given by William Pole, son of the above. The Brass Alms Dish, The Rev. A. W. Fothergill.