Church Of St Leonard

SOUTHOE AND MIDLOE HIGH STREET TL 16 SE (WEST SIDE) 3/4 CHURCH OF ST 14. 5.59 LEONARD GV I

The present church stands on the site of a late C12 church of which only the medieval plan, the piers of the chancel arch and the reset south doorway survive. The nave and chancel are principally C13, with C19 alterations to the C16 clerestorey. The South aisle and North chapel are late C15 or early C16. North West tower of narrow, red brick, English bond with diaper work. Limestone dressings. Of three stages on splayed plinth carried round from the North chapel. Embattled parapet with beast gargoyles to centre of main cornice. Part of C13 window reset in West wall. Each wall of bell stage has two pointed lights in four centred head. Original plank shutters, pierced. Nave of pebblestone and dressings of limestone. South wall of brick. Embattled parapet. Clerestorey with three partly re- used C16 windows. West wall has one C16 three light window, transomed. C16 West doorway. Four centred arch with square head and foliate and initial decoration to spandrels. South aisle also of pebblestone with limestone dressings. Two C16 windows and one to East end, each of three cinquefoil lights. Late C15 or early C16 South porch, restored. Outer arch two centred and of two moulded orders, inner carried on attached shafts. Fine late C12 South doorway (reset) of three moulded orders in round headed arch. Chancel. Of pebble and rubblestone and some sandstone probably re-used from original church. Slate roof with embattled parapet and moulded cornice. South doorway and two light window are C13. Panel of stone ashlar at eaves height, probably C17 and possibly for sundial. C16 East window of five cinquefoil lights. North wall has one lancet and one two light window, both C13. North chapel of stone ashlar. Embattled parapet and one crocketed pinnacle at North East corner. Moulded main cornice with two beast gargoyles and carved with foliate and initial bosses. Three early C16 windows. Interior: North arcade of three bays. Two centred arches of two chamfered orders on octagonal columns and capitals. South arcade also of three bays and of two chamfered orders. Round columns and capitals. C13 chancel arch two centred and of two chamfered orders on late C12 piers with square abaci and engaged shafts having scallop and cushion capitals. C16 squint opening and four centred arch to sealed roof loft opening, North of chancel arch. R.C.H.M. (Hunts.), p239, Mon. (1) Pevsner: Buildings of England p344

Listing NGR: TL1829964442