The Church of St Mary the Virgin, is based in the heart of the 1000-person village of Edith Weston and has a long history dating back to the twelfth century.

The church was built in approximately 1170, but the tower was built two centuries later, a great deal of its outstanding features Norman in style. 

These Norman features can be seen in the walls and arches.

The well proportioned tower with pinnacles and recessed spire are fourteenth century, with expectations that the transept and clerestory may also date from this period. The impressive chancel was rebuilt in 1865 as well as the south chapel by Slater & Carpenter under the charge of Rev. Charles Halford Lucas.

The reredos by Sir George Frampton is a memorial to the Rev Charles Halford Lucas and has carved relief's of Christ enthroned and the Annunciation (the announcement of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus the Son of God). The porch was added or rebuilt in the 18th century.

A large picture of St Christopher was found in 1848 on the north wall of the nave between the clerestory windows but could not be preserved.

One increidbly well preserved feature is the stunning stained glass window on the south wall.

The church contains a great deal of more recent aesthetic additions as well as the structural changes and developments that have taken place since the twelfth century.

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This early twentieth century addition is a well preserved feature.

As well as the memorial to Queen Victoria, there is a unique stained glass window on an eastern wall of the building dedicated to local woman, Elsie, donated by her husband Dan Becker.

Perhaps the most relevant of these twentieth century additions is the war memorial dedicated to those of the village who lost their lives in The Great War, 1914 - 1918. This is particularly relevant due to the proximity that Edith Weston has to Saint George's Barracks in North Luffenham.

The memorial can be visited every day.

The church is open daily for those who wish to access a peaceful space to contemplate, and the team run regular services, with a timetable available online.

The church can be found at:

Church Lane

Edith Weston

Oakham

Rutland

LE15 8EY 

Read about St Peter's Church, Empingham, in last week's history feature.