St James' Church, Ab Kettleby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James’ Church, Ab Kettleby |
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St James’ Church, Ab Kettleby
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| Location | Ab Kettleby |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | James the Greater |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Ab Kettleby and Holwell |
| Deanery | Framland (Melton Mowbray) |
| Archdeaconry | Leicester |
| Diocese | Diocese of Leicester |
St James’ Church, Ab Kettleby is a very old and special church located in Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is so important that it has a "Grade II* listed" status. This means it's a building of great historical interest and is protected.
Contents
History of the Church
This church was first built way back in the 13th century, which is over 700 years ago! Imagine how many stories these old walls could tell.
Restoration and Repairs
Between 1852 and 1853, the church got a big makeover. Builders Broadbent and Hawley worked to fix parts of the church. They also put in new oak benches for people to sit on.
Structural Challenges
Over the years, the church has faced some challenges. There are remains of an old Roman villa and a ditch under the church. These have caused serious problems for the building's structure. Because of these issues, the church had to close in 2006 for safety reasons.
Reopening the Church
It took a lot of effort and money to fix the church. Over £250,000 was raised for the repairs! Thanks to these efforts, St James' Church was able to reopen its doors in 2013. It's now safe for everyone to visit again.
Important Memorials
Inside the church, you can find special memorials. These are like plaques or monuments that remember people from the past. Some of the people remembered here include:
- Everard Digby (who passed away in 1628)
- Joye Elizabeth (wife of William Neale, died in 1604)
- John Neale (died in 1606)
- Christopher Dexter (died in 1726)
- Mathew Dexter (died in 1728)
The Church Bells
The church has a set of bells that have been ringing for centuries!
- Originally, there were three bells. They were made in 1599, 1653, and 1765.
- In 2015, the church added three more bells, making a total of six.
- Two of the new bells were made by a famous bell-making company, John Taylor & Co.
- The third new bell was cast in 1929 and came from another church in Cornwall.
