Rounding off our exploration of Oakham's historic churches we will be looking at St Edmund's Church in Egleton.

St Edmund, Egleton is a church of many mysteries. Open every day, curious visitors can pop in and experience the presence of this place as a focus of prayer and worship for nearly a thousand years.

The history of the building can be seen in the carvings and arches which reveal its Norman origins. A guide book is available to highlight those features which may puzzle – not least the presence of 12 scratch dials on the outer walls of the church, a total said to be the highest in Rutland.

More unusual carvings can be seen in the 'Man on the Roof', a drawing found on the church roof in 1873 which can now be seen on the west wall.

Information about the church can be found in the church entrance.

The church at Egleton consists of an ashlar faced west tower with spire, nave, chancel and south porch. There was a north aisle but this was pulled down and the arcade blocked. The most striking feature is the Norman south doorway and tympanum. This really is an impressive sight and has fine carved mouldings with animals and foliage and perhaps a human head.

The tympanum has a wheel of six petal like spokes with two upright beasts. Also dating to the 12th century is the chancel arch with its large columns and fine decorated shafts.

The stained-glass window is the most exquisite part of the building, the church otherwise mondest in style.

The west tower dates to the 14th century but the spire was added later in the 18th century. The windows in the south wall and chancel as well as the clerestory are 'perp' so probably 15th century. The square font dates to the 13th century.

There are remains of the rood staircase and also a squint cut through the north wall of the chancel arch which would have been directed at the old north aisle.

A warm and friendly congregation welcomes visitors to services of Holy Communion (Common Worship, traditional) at 9.15am on the first and third Sundays of each month. Services are also held to celebrate special festivals.

Pop in to see the building or attend services.

In case you missed it, check out last week's piece on The Church of St Mary the Virgin.

Do you have any local history to share? Any ideas of our next feature? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].