St Andrews Church

The earliest church on the site appears to have been a 12th-century building consisting of a small square-ended chancel and aisleless nave with intermediate axial tower, from which the plan of the existing church has developed. Of this early building the walls of the tower remain approximately to the height of the bell-chamber, together with the south-east angle of the nave, into which the walling of the tower is bonded. The nave was about 33 ft. long and the same width as at present, its extent westward being indicated by the existing masonry pier of the arcade, but few, if any, distinctly 12th-century features have survived the many subsequent alterations of the building.

There are five bells in the tower, two trebles, by Taylor of Loughborough, having been added in 1931 to a former ring of three. Of the old bells the first and second (now third and fourth) are by Tobie Norris I of Stamford, and are dated respectively 1622 and 1616. The tenor is from the Leicester foundry, 1598, and is inscribed ‘Coelorum Christe placeat tibi Rex sonus iste.’ There is also a hemispherical clock bell, hung externally from one of the spire lights. The clock dial, on the south side of the tower, is supported on corbels dated 1739. 

The plate consists of a cup and cover paten of 1572–3, a paten of 1637–8, a flagon of 1735–6, and a dish, with the maker’s initials T.F., of about 1670. 

There is a modern lychgate at the south-east entrance to the churchyard.

In June 2018 the lead roof of the church was stripped and stolen by thieves leaving the building at risk to deterioration from the elements and a bill of £40,000 to the community to replace it.

In 2022 thanks to money that was raised through fundraising, donations and grants from bodies that included the Rutland Historic Churches Preservation Trust, the Benefact Trust andThe Jack Patston Charitable Trust, a new terne coated stainless steel roof covering was installed and the church re-opened for regular use.

With acknowledgement to British History