Church of St Leonard, Stowell Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Leonard |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 26 January 1961 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Gloucester |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Leonard is an old church located in Stowell Park. This area is in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England. The church was built a very long time ago, in the 12th century. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is considered a very important historical building. It has a special status called a Grade I listed building. This means it's protected because of its unique history and architecture.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Beginnings
The Church of St Leonard was first built in the 1100s. Back then, it was a small chapel. It was connected to the main church in a nearby town called Northleach. Over the years, the church was changed and updated. This happened in the 1200s and again in the 1600s.
Repairs and Renovations
By the early 1800s, the church was in bad shape. In 1803, people said it looked "ruinous," meaning it was falling apart. Some repairs were done, and the church reopened in 1810. Later, in the 1890s, much bigger repairs took place. These were part of a style called Victorian restoration. A famous architect named C. Hodgson Fowler led this work.
Church Connections
Today, the Church of St Leonard is part of a larger group of churches. It is linked with the parish of Yanworth with Stowell. This group is centered around the town of Chedworth. All these churches are part of the Diocese of Gloucester.
Church Architecture and Design
Building Materials and Shape
The Church of St Leonard is made from limestone. This is a common stone found in the Cotswolds. The roof is made of stone slates. The church has a special shape called a cruciform plan. This means it looks like a cross from above. It has a main area called a nave. There are also two side sections called transepts. At the front is the chancel, where the altar is. The church used to have a tower in the middle. However, this tower fell down. The area where it stood has now been re-roofed.
Ancient Wall Paintings
Inside the church, you can still see some old wall paintings. Sadly, some of these paintings were lost during the repairs in the 1890s. The paintings in the nave are very old. They were created between 1150 and 1200. The paintings in the transepts are from a bit later. They were painted in the late 1100s or early 1200s. These paintings show different scenes. One of the scenes you can see is the Last Supper.
The Baptismal Font
The church also has a simple font. This is a large basin used for baptisms. This font dates back to the 13th century. It is a plain design, showing its age and history.
