St Mary Magdalen Church

The old village, as recorded in the Domesday Book, was round the church which now stands isolated some quarter of a mile from the village. The present church of St Mary Magdalen was built in 1857 at a cost of £1,500.00 to replace the one built in 1220. It has a stained glass window in the south east window by Holland and Sons of Warwick dated 1855. Scenes from the old testament of the life of Christ, in medieval style, is in the seat window, unsigned but dated 1868. On 6th July 1857 Henry Kebble, incumbent of the perpetual curacy of Kilby recorded "The inhabitants of Kilby have taken down their church with the design to re-build it. The firststone of the edifice was this day laid by Ursula Elizabeth Halford, the daughter in law of Sir Henry John Halford Bart, of Wistow Hall, the patron of the incumbency who gave a large magnificent contribution to the expenses of the building". Although the church is very ordinary the churchyard has graves dating back to 1714, and is a haven for wild flowers. The Patronal Festival, of Kilby Feast as it was more commonly called, was celebrated every year at the weekend nearest to July 22nd with various festivities such as a brass band or fair. The village in recent years held a Garden Fete at this time of year and hopefully this is to be reinstated.

Window by Holland & Son dated 1855

An 1880 book states "The Church of St Mary Magdalene is a small plain building, rebuilt in 1858. It contains chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch, turret and bell. A stained window has been inserted to the member of the Rev Henry Kebble, who was perpetual curate of the place for 54 years. The Registers date from 1590. The vicarage is of the yearly value of £80.00, with residence, in the gift of Sir Henry Halford, Bart, load of the manor and principal landowner."