St Leonard's Church, Middleton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Leonard, Middleton |
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 Church of St Leonard, Middleton
Location in Greater Manchester
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| 53°33′12″N 2°11′41″W / 53.5532°N 2.1946°W | |
| Location | Middleton, Greater Manchester |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | St Cuthbert |
| Status | Active |
| Founder(s) | Thomas Langley |
| Dedication | St Leonard |
| Consecrated | September 1412 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Years built | 1100, 1412 |
| Specifications | |
| Administration | |
| Parish | joint benefice of St Leonard, Middleton and St John, Thornham |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Rochdale |
| Diocese | Diocese of Manchester |
| Province | Province of York |
St Leonard's Church is a special Church of England church located in Middleton, England. It is considered a very important building. It is listed as a Grade I building, which means it has great historical and architectural value.
Contents
A Look at St Leonard's History
This church has a long and interesting past. Much of the building you see today was built in 1412.
Who Built the Church?
A man named Thomas Langley helped build the church. He was born in Middleton in 1363. Thomas Langley became a very important person. He was a Bishop of Durham and also the Lord Chancellor of England. This meant he was a top advisor to the King.
When the church was built, Thomas Langley used parts from an even older church. He used a doorway from a Norman building to create the tower arch. The tower also has a unique top section made of wood, which is called "weather-boarded."
How the Church Grew Over Time
The church was made bigger in 1524 by Sir Richard Assheton. He did this to celebrate becoming a knight. King Henry VIII of England made him a knight for his bravery. Sir Richard fought in the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
The Flodden Window: A Special Memorial
Inside the church, there is a famous window called the Flodden Window. It is in the sanctuary area. Many people believe this window is the oldest war memorial in the United Kingdom. It remembers the names of the archers from Middleton. These archers fought bravely in the Battle of Flodden.
Amazing Brass Artworks
St Leonard's Church also has a fantastic collection of monumental brasses. These are engraved metal plates, often found on tombs. They are some of the best in northern England. One special brass shows a soldier from the English Civil War. This soldier is Major-General Ralph Assheton, and the brass shows him in full armor. It is the only one of its kind in the UK.
Modern Additions to the Church
Later, in 1958, a designer named George Pace worked on the church. He designed another war memorial. He also added a special room for the choir and put in new lighting.
War Graves in the Churchyard
The churchyard has a special area for war graves. Here, you can find the graves of two soldiers from the First World War. There is also the grave of an airman from the Second World War.
See also
- List of churches in Greater Manchester
- Grade I listed churches in Greater Manchester
- Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester
- Listed buildings in Middleton, Greater Manchester
- List of works by George Pace
