St. Mary's Church - Warwick

This is our lovely local parish church. The 174ft. tower, supposedly built by Sir Christopher Wren, commands every viewpoint. Within the church, the Beauchamp chapel has survived from the earlier building, and houses the splendid tomb of Richard Beauchamp. This Earl of Warwick died in 1439 and was largely responsible for the execution of Joan of Arc. There are also tombs to many of the other Beauchamps, Grevilles and Dudleys, including Queen Elizabeth I's favourite Robert Dudley. The stained glass in the chapel is the work of John Pruddle, King's Glazier. A fashionable artist and craftsman, he used every known technique to achieve the most impressive effect. Coloured jewels are set into the borders of the robes, and the tracery angels even hold real music. Pruddle obtained his royal appointment in 1440, and the windows date from 1447. In 1694 exactly on it's 300th birthday, the Church was completely gutted during the Great Fire of Warwick Foreground shows the War Memorial, standing next to what was the Old Library. Location:- Church Street, Warwick.

Back To:-
Churches			Warwick

Holy Trinity Church - Stratford-Upon-Avon

This is where Shakespeare was baptised in 1564, and buried in 1616. His grave, marked by a stone bearing an inscription, lies side by side with that of his wife Anne Hathaway, and eldest daughter Susanna Hall. Set in the wall above, is Johnson's bust of Shakespeare, carved a few years after the poets death. Nearby is the old font in which Shakespeare was baptised , and a case containing copies of the parish register entries, relating to his baptism and burial. Even without it's Shakespeare memorials, this is a stirring building, certainly one of the county's loveliest medieval churches. This building of cruciform design, was begun in 1210. It is built in Limestone, and has a central spire, originally of timber, but rebuilt in stone by William Hiorn of Warwick, in 1763. It is likely built on the site of quite ancient churches that proceeded it, In the Charter of 845AD. signed by Beorhtwulf (Bertulf) King of Mercia, there was mention of a Church on the bank of the Avon. At this time, no doubt constructed of wood, which could account for the fact that no trace of this building remains. The late 15th. century misericords in the choir stalls , have some fine carvings, and in the Clopton Chapel, some magnificent monuments. The avenue of Lime trees on the approach, are said to represent the twelve Apostles, and the twelve tribes of Israel. Location:- Old Town, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Back To:-
Churches			Stratford

St. Nicholas Church - Warwick

St. Nicholas, once called the 'Low ' church', (simply because it was further down the hill from St. Mary's, the 'High' church), was one of the two ancient parish churches of Warwick, in the later middle-ages. The old church dated back to Norman times, and may have been older still. By the mid 18th. century, it was in a very poor state of repair, and the tower, which was causing great concern, was taken down, and replaced in 1748. In 1779 local architect Thomas Johnson, rebuilt the church, to his own design. A vestry was added in 1826, and the chancel was rebuilt in 1869-70 to the designs of John Gibson. Location:- St. Nicholas Church Street, Warwick.

  

Back To:-
Churches			Warwick

  

All Saints Church - Leamington Spa

The Doomsday Book of 1086 records a priest living in 'Lamintone', and perhaps the parish church dates from before then. The church is first recorded in the 12th. century, as a chapel for the parish of Leek Wootton. Once standing in open fields it is now an integral part of the town In 1816 the Rev. John Wise, who's family were the patrons of the living, added a wing, increasing the accommodation for the congregation by an additional 300. By 1825 the town had grown so much that enlargement was again needed. The tower was taken down, it's foundations restrengthened, then rebuilt to a greater height, with the addition of a spire. The nave was enlarged providing seating for an extra 504 people, and extensions were made each side, effectively turning the nave into a large transept of the church. Numerous alterations and extensions continued up to the 30th. June 1898, when the foundation stone was laid for the two western bays , which would increase the capacity to 1,500 people. The enlarged church was consecrated on the 1st. November 1900 and in October 1902 the tower was dedicated. Location:- Church Street, Leamington Spa.

Back To:-
Churches			Leamington

 

St. Nicholas Church - Kenilworth

In the older, northern part of the town, can be found the parish church of St. Nicholas, looking over the Abbey Fields. Although the exact date it was founded is unknown, by 1291 it was in the patronage of the Prior and Convent of Kenilworth. Inside the church, between the Chancel and the Lady Chapel, is a carving of the Bear and Ragged Staff - the insignia of Lord Leycester. The font is dated 1664, but the base is of Norman construction. The Pulpit, Lectern and Screen, are all fine examples of wood carving. At the Chancel steps is a pig of lead, which was a piece of roof, taken from the Abbey at the dissolution, and melted down. This unusual feature has the stamp of Henry III's Commissioner, and weighs nearly 11 hundredweights. The elaborate Norman Doorway at the west entrance, was originally part of the Abbey, and is thought to have been the layman's entrance, and one of the relics rescued by order of Lord Leycester. Queen Elizabeth I worshipped at the church on two occasions, while a guest of Lord Leycester at Kenilworth Castle. Location:- High Street, Kenilworth.

Back To:-
Churches			Kenilworth

All Saints Church - Leek Wootton

It would be easy to miss the church which stands well back from the Warwick Road, being built on a rising bank it is partially masked from those driving past. It can be easily seen when on foot, but you need to walk up the lane to appreciate it's charms. Although a church has stood on this site since 1122, the present one was built to replace one pulled down in 1789. In the churchyard can be found an old Norman font, and the burial place of two of the victims of the battle of Edgehill. In 1844 each of the 77 parishioners planted a Lime tree, adding to the charm of this church, giving a scented shade to the ground surrounding the church. The oldest of the five bells was cast by Johannes de Stafford in the 14th. Century, and the chimes we hear today, are the very same sounds that could be heard over 600 years ago. Location:- Leek Wootton - A429 (Warwick Road)

Back To:-
Churches			Kenilworth

St. Paul's Church - Warwick

Built in 1825 , and originally named St. Mary's Episcopal Chapel, it was a Mortuary Chapel for the cemetery in Friars Street, it was originally a simple structure in late Perpendicular style, the windows being quite large for a chapel. It has glass by Holland of Warwick, and biblical paintings by Bertie Greethead of Guys Cliffe, the seat of the Greetheads. In 1849, and following the outlay of £3,500 and with stone provided by the Earl of Warwick, the chapel was converted to a Suburban Parish Church, dedicated to St.Paul. The old chapel became a long south transept of the enlarged church, with a new Nave and Apse being added across the north end. This was Peter's Parish church, and it was here that he and Nicola were married, and both their children, Samantha and Christopher were Christened. Location:- Friars Street, Warwick.

Back To:-
Churches			Warwick

   

St. Peter's Church - Hampton Lucy

Dating from 1826, this gothic-style church in common with many churches is built upon the site of a much older building, and contains floor tiles dating to the 14 century. The building of the church which was once part of a 180 acre estate of the Lucy family, was financed by the Rev. John Lucy. This Norman family decended from Adrian de Lucy of Normandy, France c 1064. Richard de Lucy 1089-1179 was the Cheif Justiciar of England. The oldest part Location:- Hampton Lucy.

  

Back To:-
Churches			Warwick

St. Martin's Church - Barford

Because the area was water plain the church was built on a man-made earth mound, surrounded by a 5 ft wall built of Chilmark stone, quarried 6 miles from the village. The oldest part of the Church is the Chancel dating to 1216. The North Transept was enlarged in 1841. At th south-east corner of the tower, a spiral staircase leads up to the bell-tower, containing six bells - the oldest of which dates to 1732. One of these bells - the treble - is the third ring of six, and came from the wooden turret which was over the Nave of Atherstone Church, which was closed in 1975 due to the dangerous state of it's structure. The bells were distributed to Barford, Radford Semele and Shooeswell. Location:- Barford.

Back To:-
Churches			Warwick

Church - Copy Format For Further Use

This   Location:-

   

Back To:-
Churches			Warwick