Church of St Leonard the Less, Samlesbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Leonard the Less, Samlesbury |
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| OS grid reference | SD 5898430362 |
| Location | Samlesbury, Lancashire |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 11 November 1966 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Leyland |
| Archdeaconry | Blackburn |
| Diocese | Blackburn |
| Province | York |
The Church of St Leonard the Less is an old and important church located in the village of Samlesbury, Lancashire, England. It stands near the River Ribble. This church belongs to the Anglican faith, which is part of the Church of England. Most of the church was built in 1558. A tall tower was added later, between 1899 and 1900. It is considered a very special building and is protected as a Grade I listed building. This means it's a historic site of great importance.
Contents
History of St Leonard's Church
There has been a church or chapel on this spot since the 12th century. You can still see parts of these older buildings in the church today. The chapel might have been rebuilt in the 14th century.
In 1558, the church was largely rebuilt by Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby. Later, in 1885, it was restored, which means it was repaired and updated. A new tower was added to the church between 1899 and 1900. This tower was designed by James Bertwistle from Blackburn.
On November 11, 1966, the church was officially named a Grade I listed building. This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England.
Exploring the Church's Design
Outside the Church
St Leonard's Church is built mostly from yellow sandstone. Some older parts use red sandstone. The roofs are made of stone slate. The church has a nave (the main part where people sit) and a chancel (the area around the altar). These two parts are under one roof. There are also aisles (side sections) to the north and south. A tower stands on the north-west side.
The east window, added in the 19th century, has three sections and a pointed top. The west window, also likely from the 19th century, has a pointed arch with three pointed sections. Most other windows are square-shaped with three rounded sections.
The tower is made of smooth, cut stone called ashlar. It has strong corner supports called buttresses. The top of the tower has a crenellated parapet, which looks like the top of a castle wall. Inside the tower, there is a small turret with a spiral staircase. You can see a clock on the west wall. There are also belfry louvres (slatted openings) on all sides of the tower, which let out the sound of the bells.
Inside the Church
The nave and chancel together are about 66 feet long and 18 feet 6 inches wide. The inside walls were once plastered, but this was removed in the 19th century, showing the rough stone underneath. In the south wall of the sanctuary (the area around the altar), there is a piscina, which is a basin used for washing sacred vessels.
The church has arcades with four bays (sections). These have pointed arches supported by octagonal piers (columns). At the west end of the south aisle, there is a baptistery (where baptisms take place). It is hidden behind an oak screen.
You can see special box pews inside the church. These are old, enclosed seats from the 16th and 17th centuries, with the oldest dating back to 1678. The pulpit, where the minister preaches, is a "double-decker" style and is located at the north end of the nave. The church also holds old armour from 1546. This armour belonged to Thomas Southworth of Samlesbury Hall.
Churchyard Features
A sundial stands a few feet south-east of the church. Its metal plate shows the date 1742. This sundial is also a protected historic item, given a Grade II designation. An old stone font, once inside the church, now sits in the churchyard. It has the inscription "TW 1769". This font also has a Grade II designation.
The churchyard is also the final resting place for three soldiers from World War I. Their graves are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Lancashire
- Listed buildings in Samlesbury
