Church of St Leonard

Church of St Leonard

This parish church retains a probably Norman font but otherwise lacks unequivocal dating evidence before the Perpendicular period. The nave likely predates the tower, which is a fine example of the local military type assignable to the 14th or early 15th century. The width and height of the chancel arch suggest it is no earlier than the 14th century. The outer arch of the porch has a coarse appearance, but this is probably the product of late rustic craftsmanship rather than early work.

The recorded list of rectors begins with William Eynon in 1534. The church has always been in private patronage.

Unusually, Loveston was maintained in the Victorian period without undergoing systematic restoration, unlike most other churches. The building therefore largely preserves the appearance of an 18th-century parish church. This plainness and lack of colour makes St Leonard's a satisfying and interesting contrast to many heavily restored neighbouring churches.

The roof carpentry of the nave and chancel is probably 18th or 19th century, with the nave roof having a plastered ceiling following the rafters and collars. The tower base is steeply vaulted and the transepts have lower vaults of nearly semicircular shape. The floor is of stone flags with one step at the chancel arch and one at the sanctuary. The floor within the sanctuary has been replaced with terrazzo.

The chancel contains plain oak communion rails. There is a blocked square-headed window in the south wall above an arched piscina. A blocked opening appears in the forward-projecting section of wall, with corbels at both sides from a previous roof structure.

The chancel arch is high, wide and pointed, with a broad chamfer stopped near the foot, a projecting stone moulding at each impost and jambs formed of long upright stones alternating with outbands. On both sides of the arch are squints of window type, perhaps 16th century, serving the transepts. The squint on the right has a stone mullion. The north transept has been screened off for a vestry. Two blocks of 20th-century pews occupy the nave, with a plain pulpit nearby. A stoup recess stands beside the south door. The base of the tower acts as an extension to the nave. The porch has a 19th-century timber roof and a floor of stone flags, with a stoup recess in the right wall near the inner door and stone benches.

There is no stained glass, but the east window and the windows of both transepts are glazed with large quarries in which a cross is picked out in red and yellow glass.

The font is square with a chevron-enriched moulding beneath, standing on a circular pillar on a square base and step.

To the right of the altar is a Jacobean monument with all heraldry and inscriptions obliterated. The frame consists of two engaged Corinthian columns with marked entasis standing on a moulded shelf above consoles with strapwork decoration. A moulded entablature is surmounted by a frieze decorated with rectangles and roses and a dentilled cornice. Above the cornice is a central achievement with shield flanked by short obelisks or pyramids. Within the frame is a rectangular tablet above two shields, each on a cartouche backing. To the south of the chancel is a figured marble monument to Henry Leach, a Pembroke merchant, who died in 1787.