A Short History of the Church of St Andrew's

The Pretty Church in Springtime

The humble medieval church, dedicated to St Andrew, consists of a nave, a north aisle, a spacious chancel, and a tower in which there are three bells.

In the chancel are three stone seats and a piscine. The pulpit and desk are handsome. There is a 15th century screen of richly carved oak and an old ironbound chest

The font is circular and plain. Over 400 years ago Hugh Weston, who grew up to be dean of Westminster and preacher to Mary Tudor, was baptised. He was confessor to the duke of Somerset and Sir Thomas Wyatt at their execution, and presided at the trial of Cranmer.

In 1220, this church was under the patronage of the abbey of St. Ebrulf at Urica in Normandy. The then person was Ralph, instituted by William archdeacon of Leicester, who paid four marks to the abbey of old time.

By 1753, the patronage of Burton Overy, which had belonged to the Rev. Chapman Dolby, was transferred to the Rev. Paul Southworth, who married his daughter, and in 1763 it became the property of the Rev. John Lee.

In the churchyard, in front of the rectory, is an oak tree planted at the restoration from an acorn of the famous oak at Boscobel. It is a grand old veteran, keeping a watchful eye on one of its own children, a young oak grown from one of its acorns to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Victoria Era

The Old Ironbound Parish Chest

The Oak Tree grown from an acorn of the famous oak at Biscobel

The font stands by the entrance door from the porch and in front of the vestry door

The Coat of Arms hangs above the door to the vestry