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Hidden
Churches and Chapels of Warwickshire |
| The
county of Warwickshire contains many famous churches which feature
prominently and proudly in publications which espouse the delights
of the area. However, there are many more churches and chapels
which do not receive the same acclaim but which were an important
feature in the everyday life of our Warwickshire ancestors.
Many of these churches and chapels still serve their local congregation
yet are little known beyond their immediate parish. Some are
hidden away in corners of small villages, across fields, down
country lanes or behind hedgerows. This selection of photographs
gives a sample of some of these religious buildings for family
historians and others who may have an interest in this historic
county. It also provides recognition of the work of the small
congregations that continue to support and maintain most of
these churches. Contact me if you require any further information
about a particular church in Warwickshire. |
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St. Bartholomew, Little Packington
The parish was once known as Packington Piggott.
The church dates from a rebuilding of 1878 on new concrete
foundations. Much of the stone used came from a 12th-13th
century church which previously occupied the site. St. Bartholomew's
closed in 1966 and was subsequently declared redundant.
In 1991 arrangements were made to transfer the property
to Lord Aylesford of Packington Hall, to enable it to be
disposed of for conversion to a domestic dwelling. In 1998
conversion work was proceeding. The parish of Little Packington
is now included in the benefice of Meriden.
Close to the east end of the churchyard lies
evidence of a transport system which has also lost its former
glory. It is the trackbed of the old Stonebridge branch
of the Derby to Hampton railway line. It was constructed
by the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway Company to
link with the London and Birmingham line at Hampton in Arden.
The railway opened in 1839 and provided the first main line
link between London and Derby and Birmingham and Derby.
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St. Botolph's, Burton Hastings
The impressive church and well kept churchyard
complement the village of Burton Hastings, with its mixture
of old and modern housing. The church also serves the old
parish of Stretton Baskerville, which has a small population
spread amongst an agricultural area. St. Botolph's has a
nave, chancel, west tower and south porch. The chancel dates
back to the 14th century, with the nave and tower being
of the 16th century. However, the whole church has been
subject to restoration in the 20th century. The sundial
over the porch dates from 1867. There is a memorial to George
Tookey who died in the Punjab and a tablet recording the
bequest of Isaac Wells, of Shelford House, to provide bread
for the poor of the parish on Christmas Day. A flower festival
is held at the church at regular intervals - once every
ten years.
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St. Mary the Virgin,
Stoneleigh
Standing in the lee of Motslow Hill, amongst
the houses and cottages of the village of Stoneleigh, the
Church of St. Mary the Virgin has served the area for many
centuries. It owes much of its structure to work of the
12th century and occupies the site of an earlier church,
close to the River Sowe and the bridge which provides an
important crossing point here. Motslow Hill is thought to
have been the source of the stone used in the construction
of the church. The large church and crowded churchyard reflect
not only the past importance of the manor of Stoneleigh,
but also the fact that the parish of Stoneleigh once covered
a large geographical area, extending almost to Berkswell
and including the areas of Westwood Heath, Canley, Tile
Hill and Fletchamstead. The picturesque village of Stoneleigh
includes the old blacksmith's shop, standing on the village
green. Facing the green are the old almshouses, founded
and erected in the late 16th century by Dame Alice Leigh,
widow of Sir Thomas Leigh. Sir Thomas was the first member
of the Leigh family to own the estate of Stoneleigh Abbey
and was Lord Mayor of London in 1558.
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St. Mary the Virgin, Whitchurch
The church is all that remains of the old
mediaeval village of Whitchurch. It serves the hamlets of
Crimscote and Wimpstone which are in the civil parish of
Whitchurch. Its only neighbour is a tithe barn which has
been converted to a modern dwelling. The settlement at Whitchurch
was depopulated by Edward Belknap, after he became Lord
of the Manor in 1490. A walk through fields provides the
only access to this tranquil church and serves to add to
its attraction. At its north side flows the River Stour.
On the other side of the river is the village of Alderminster,
with its own, larger, church.
The narrow nave appears to be matched in length
by the chancel. The north wall of the nave displays Royal
Arms and a memorial for both World Wars. There are also
two replicas of stone heads, found at the hamlet of Crimscote.
It is thought that the originals were part of a chapel which
once existed there. They have been given the names of the
Old Lady, Crimscote and the Crimscote Scold.
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