How the Church developed

In the 13th century, the present tower, nave and chancel were added. A screen you can see in the north aisle is one of the earliest in England. It was removed from the nave at the Reformation and later repositioned in the North aisle. The beamed nave roof is unusual for the county.

In the 15th century, the height of the nave was increased, large windows in the Perpendicular style were incorporated. The present timber roof was added; it has an unusual gable at its end. Corbels on wall-posts include a king, cow, woman and other human and bestial characters.

One is a fine “Green Man”. A belfry stage was added to the tower and the oldest bell (tenor) was hung in 1525. The tower screen and font date from this period, as does a brass ledger memorial in the floor of the nave. Fragments from the original stained glass window have been reassembled; roundels of a white hart and swan, angels with chalices and finely painted heads and figures can be seen in the large window behind the altar.

The 16th century saw the number of bells increased to three and the Church was granted the Coat of Arms that hangs in the bell-tower close by the Charity Board. Nearby there is a Church chest of this period with three clasp locks and keys, one for the Rector, the other two for the Churchwardens. This was the “safe” for the Church plate and record books.

In the 17th century a further bell was added . A slate headstone with the date 1641 commemorating the death of Elias Travers, once Rector here, is the oldest slate headstone in the county. It is now in the Church, for safe keeping.

From the 18th century there are a number of floor stones and mural tablets with fine contemporary lettering that mark the resting places of notable rectors and their families. Some include heraldry and much information describing family relationships. Particularly notable are those relating to the Arnald family and the family of Richard Hill (founder of the local school). An old cupboard from the school dated 1728 can be found at the rear of the pews. New Church plate was donated in 1708 and 1712 by Richard Hill and his wife.

In the 19th century, the 1550 bell was recast and the peal enlarged to 6 bells. An organ was added (“10/- p.a. for organ-blowing”) and alterations were made to the north aisle and furnishings. Victorian Royal Arms in gilded plaster hang in the bell tower, and a monument on the west wall of the nave commemorates the tercentenary of the martyrdom of Bishop Hugh Latimer, born in Thurcaston, On the exterior of the north aisle, on either side of the window, are carved heads representing Hugh Latimer and Bishop Hurd (a former Rector who became Bishop of Worcester).

The 20th century saw the restoration of the six bells and the addition to two more in 1919. A wafer plate was donated to the church by Rev. Potts in 1908.

It is hoped that the 21st century will see the first major addition to the fabric of the church for centuries. Plans are in hand to build a extension to accommodate ‘community’ facilities as well as ‘parish’ space.

For reasons of security, the Church is generally locked during the week, but a call to either 0116 294 0088 or 0116 236 5402 will lead you to someone happy to open it for you to explore. The graveyard, described below, is of course always open to visitors.

The North Aisle Window