Rotherby Church - A History

The central building of the village is the ancient Church of All Saints, situated in the middle of the village next to the old Manor House. The date of the present Church is estimated to be early thirteenth century. The ancient name of the village came from the Danish word 'Rood' meaning 'Cross', which probably signified an early place of worship, perhaps originally pagan. It seems very likely that there was a Danish church, which would have stood on the same site as the present one. The early church would almost certainly have been wooden, but it was the Anglo-Norman family of Brett who built something like the present day stone church. The actual date of the building is probably around 1220; a supposition supported by the fact that the first known vicar of the church was Hombart in 1220. This first stone building would have resembled the present day one, but consisting of only a chancel and a nave. The building material used was mostly limestone but later, possibly in the fourteenth century, the perpendicular style tower was added, using a crumbly sandstone material.
The Brett family of this time was certainly devout, because in 1394 Roger de Brett granted a considerable part of the Rotherby estate to the Priors of Chaucombe in Northamptonshire. The patrons of the early church were from the Priory and Convent of Launde, also in the county of Leicestershire, now known as Launde Abbey.
The fourteenth century was time of re-building and enlarging of the church. A west window was blocked off and replaced in a higher position, the roof also seems to have been raised during this re-building period and another interesting feature of this time is the arch which leads from the nave into the Chancel. On the north wall by the arch there seems to be a scar in the wall and on the altar side there is a mass of spare masonry. This would suggest that the archway was possibly moved in an easterly direction.
The church now has two aisles, though the south aisle is not now used. Here there is a very ancient piscina, in which the priest kept the Communion wine and bread, which has an unusual dog-tooth mould, a very uncommon feature after the thirteenth century. In the main aisle a later, fourteenth century piscina is still in use.
The majority of the present church building seems to date back to this fourteenth century re-building period but the building material is certainly considerably older and likely to have been re-used.
The Church has many handsome mediaeval windows, but a number of them were repaired and altered in the later restoration of the church in 1882.
It was not until the fourteenth century that the perpendicular south-west tower was added. This appears to have been an afterthought as it was built inside the south aisle and there is a noticeable lack of space to the west of the church. The tower was built in three stages, is embattled, and does not have a spire. It was during these times that the north facing door-way was built but this was blocked, possibly about two hundred years ago. The doorway was probably used as an entrance for the families living in the nearby Manor House. The inside walls of the church would have been covered in white plaster, probably featuring coloured patterns or murals.
The three church bells were added in the 1600's. The first bell which has the inscriotion "Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum" ("Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee") is considerably earlier than the other two. No actual date can be found on it but it is believed to be around 1530. The second bell was added in 1597 and has inscribed on it 'Come and pray, 1597'. The third bell has the inscription 'A.B.C.D.B.P. 1611' The bells, when rung traditionally ring out 'Come and pray'
In 1600 a stone was placed in the church testifying to the virtues of Robert Brett. It says "Hic facet Robertas Brett, miles" ("Here lies Robert Brett, Knight"). The Brett family disappeared from the records around 1659.
Nichol's survey of the County carried out around the 1790's mentions an ancient font, two fragments of painted glass and many floor monuments, but these and especially the stone testifying to Robert Brett have somehow disappeared. It is believed they were lost in the restoration of 1882. In John Thorsby's book 'Leicestershire View' he states 'The church has a very capacious old font almoft in the form of a tub'.
The restoration of churches throughout the Wreake Valley was especially common during this period . The cost of Rotherby's restoration was around £2,000 and the wealthy landowners and relatives of past landowners, such as the Hames and Burnaby's, helped the village to raise this sum. In 1882 a Fair was held in the Corn Exchange at Leicester and the proceeds of £160 went towards the Rotherby Church Funds. Other large donations were made by the rector of the parish, Mr. G. Beresford, Colonel Goodchild the churchwarden, Miss Haines and Mrs. Pierce Seaman. The church at this time was described as having fallen into 'grave decay' and plans for restoration were prepared by W. Millican Esq., Architect of Leicester. The work included a new vestry, porch and six new windows. The plaster was removed from the walls and a new pulpit and Communion rails were made from the oak timber of the old roof. A new roof was erected, the walls of the church were repaired and the old church gate was replaced. Pews were installed throughout the church in oak, and finally an organ was installed.
In 1882 the ancient font was replaced with one which had four supporting columns of Purbeck stone. The font bears the inscription, "Suffer little children to come unto me". Also marked on the font are the words, "Presented by Mrs.Goodchild" In an arch between the chancel and the vestry a brass plaque was placed and a tombstone of an early Rector can be found under a modern oak canopy decorated with leaves and roses. The brass plaque says, "This ancient tombstone CVC A.D. 1230 was restored and adorned A.D. 1911 to the Glory of God's House, and in memory of her husband Joseph Bahri, late curate of this parish, by Anna Bahri his Widow".
In 1912, the Reverend Beresford moved the organ from the Chancel to it’s present position at the back of the nave and he also decorated the Chancel by covering it with richly painted panels depicting the figures of various saints. A note on one of the panels reads: ”The restoration and adornment of the Chancel were effected in 1911-12. The Reverend A. A. Beresford.”
The rebuilding of the church was definitely necessary, but it was carried out with little thought and many items of historical value were lost. As earlier mentioned, such items as the font, floor monuments, and fragments of painted glass disappeared. It is believed that when the floor was tiled in 1882, many stones marking internal tombs were covered.
In the year 1898 the church clock was installed and is still in perfect working order today.
The church of the present day is not very different from that of the turn of this century. There are still quite wall tablets in honour of past villagers such as the Seaman, Burnaby and Hartopp families.
The church has now been fitted with electricity and the aisles are covered with a red carpet. A new gate has been erected in memory of the late Mr. J. Rippin. The villagers are justly proud of their church and many visitors come to see this treasure. The everyday running of the church is communal, as members of the local community participate in such tasks as flower arranging, cleaning, bell ringing and grass cutting.