St James the Great South Leigh

This was the last of the three churches I was visiting and one which was not on my list but a last minuet addition for me after seeing some photos of the inside. In truth I did not realise there a South Leigh let alone a church but then I had been to the North Village so should have known. I was not let down by the visit. Some history off Wikipedia
"The Church of England parish church of Saint James the Great began as a chapel of the parish of Stanton Harcourt, and remained so until 1868. The oldest parts of the church building date from the latter part of the 12th century. The present chancel arch was built about 1300, the tower arch was built during the 14th century and the south doorway of the nave dates from about 1400. The church building was extensively altered in the 15th century: the north aisle and chapel were added, the bell tower was completed, and new windows were inserted in the south and east walls of the chancel.
In 1871–72 the architect Ewan Christian restored the chancel and C. C. Rolfe began restoring the nave. Rolfe's cousin H. W. Moore completed the nave restoration in 1887-88. During the restoration extensive 15th century wall paintings were discovered. They include a Doom painting over the chancel arch, the seven deadly sins, Saint Michael weighing souls, the Virgin Mary (originally part of an Annunciation scene) and a rare painting of Saint Clement. Burlison and Grylls heavily restored the paintings, re-drawing the weighing of souls at twice its original size.
St. James' tower has a ring of eight bells, all of which were cast by Mears & Stainbank of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1907. The church has also a Sanctus bell cast by an unknown founder in about 1399."

St Mary's church looking from the entrance

The bell tower with clock

The clock tells you 

"Ye Know What Hour Your Lord Doth Come"

Going around to the West end with door.

Right the North side of the Church

Another view of the North side showing the chancel end along with the North Aisle

Heading around the South side via the East end

Inside the entrance porch the 14th century doorway

where you can see this Roll of Honour

The first thing you notice on entering the church is the doom painting

It really stands out above the 13th century arch

I find it amazing how good the condition of it is

The detail is some of the best I have seen

Considering it dates back to the 15th century

and it survived all this time
 The other thing I noticed was the rood over the screen

Inside the chancel the altar is covered and has the altar cross and candle holders on it
Behind is the stained glass chancel window

Above the altar and left the pulpit on it's slender stem.
right St Michael forms the lectern

From the pulpit you look down the nave

The entrance  to the pulpit is through this doorway which I have no doubt formed part of the rood loft this church once had
Above you can see the bequests left by local benefactors to the poor of the parish

The North aisle ends in a screen where once there would have been a chapel, now it is used as a vestry, if you enter it you can see floor tombs and some reuse stained glass in the window

At the back of the church below the organ is the font and over to one side this paining of the Annunciation

Above the 

painting I think depicts Mary being taken to Heaven

Left a church brass which I could not get a good photo of because of the light coming though the window

Right a wall painting of the wall of the North aisle

The North aisle through the pillars

Above and left the organ which hides the 14th century arch leading to the tower

Keelers hang neatly on the back of the pews

These words were no doubt put there in the 19th century

Last look down the nave

Outside on your entry to the churchyard you get this view

With this memorial standing out in the churchyard

Right the headstone leaning up on the east end wall of the church

Cannot say how old the left priest door is but their seems to be what looks like Mass dials on the post

 

Outside the churchyard is quite large though most of it is on the North side

Here we look West

The Commonwealth War Grave of Fusilier J.H.Claridge

I will leave you with this photo of two headstone slowly sinking into the ground the look like early 18th century
Till next time I wish you a wonderful weekend