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Smeeton
Westerby Leicestershire |
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Smeeton Westerby Leicestershire LE8 0RT
Usually open during daylight hours
Parking on the roadside adjacent to the entrance |
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MAIN FEATURES OF INTEREST |
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Ø Kempe stained glass window at the East end of the South Aisle Ø Large wooden font lid topped by a golden bird counterbalance Ø Dropped cill sedilia under an elaborately cusped rere arch |
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HISTORY |
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This church which lacks a tower or spire was built by H Woodyer between 1848 and 1849. Designed wholly in the decorated style it consists of a nave, south and north aisle and nave but no clerestory. Looking at the west outer wall it looks as though a tower may have been planned as a later addition but instead a small octagonal bell turret with a circular top is all that exists. All the internal fittings are thought to be original and the sedilia and piscina are some of the oldest surviving Revival examples in the county. There are two small bells, cast in 1849. The plate consists of a cup dated 1847, a paten dated 1849, and a flagon dated 1848, all silver gilt, and all bought for Smeeton Westerby in 1849. Frederick Iliffe, by will proved 1928, left £300 to endow quarterly payments to members of the choir, to maintain the organ, and for books for the choir. The registers date from 1852, Smeeton Westerby being included in the Kibworth Beauchamp registers before that date.
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IMAGES |
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East window featuring in the central panel the crucifixion of Jesus |
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At the west end of the nave is a free standing organ which was installed in the church between 1906 and 1908 |
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Stone carved font with ornate carved lid |
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Stone piscina in the chancel area. Currently housing a brass table top lecturn. |
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Wooden pulpit surrounded by flowers ready for the harvest festival |
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Old wooden alms / collection box complete with ironwork fittings |
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Golden bird counterweight sitting high above the font lid |
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Detail of the wooden font lid |
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East window from the South Asile by Kempe and Co dated 1902 |
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Remains of Victorian gas fitting which used to light the church before the arrival of electricity |
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Brass bible rest engraved in the memory of Harry Leslie Jones who died in 1939 |
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One of the stained glass window from the chancel |
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LINKS & REFERENCES |