St Botolph's Church, Ratcliffe on the Wreake
| St Botolph's Church, Ratcliffe on the Wreake | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| 52°43′29.2367″N 1°4′4.592″W / 52.724787972°N 1.06794222°W | |
| Location | Ratcliffe on the Wreake |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Botolph |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Administration | |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Diocese | Diocese of Leicester |
| Deanery | Goscote |
| Parish | Ratcliffe on the Wreake |
St Botolph's Church is a Grade II* listed Church of England church in the village of Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Leicestershire, England.[1][2]
Architecture[edit]
The church dates from the 14th century and was restored in 1876. Since then it hasn't undergone any major structural work / development and retains many original features.[1][2][3]
Spire[edit]
The Spire dates from the 14th century, and was rebuilt in 1812. It is made from granite rubble stone, with Swithland slate roof tiles and has a north facing clock face.
[edit]
The nave is the oldest part of the church, it dates from the early 14th century and was originally wider, with a North aisle. The North aisle was removed between 1791 and 1795, the four octagonal piers can still be seen internally. On the North wall, adjacent to the Chancel is a memorial to a Victorian schoolboy killed when he fell from his Pony, the memorial is in the form of an angel praying.
Chancel[edit]
The chancel itself dates from the 14th Century, however the roof is a newer addition, dating from the 19th Century. The Chancel is separated from the Nave by a double chamfered arch on polygonal responds, and is also two steps lower than the main body of the church.
Sanctuary[edit]
On the northern wall is a recess with a double chamfered arch and an effigy of a priest from the 14th Century.
Windows[edit]
The majority of the church windows are clear glass, with very little stained glass. Exceptions to this are:
- The West (tower) window dating from the 19th Century.
- The East window which contains a depiction of the Baptism of Christ, flanked by Saint John to his left, and Noah to his right. The window dates from 1878.
- There are three windows to the South of the Chancel all with Geometric tracery, the middle of these contains fragments of medieval glass.
-
East window -
Medieval glass in the South Chancel window
Furniture[edit]
The round font located to the West of the (main) South door dates from the 12th / 13th century and stands on an octagonal base, probably from the 19th Century. The remainder of the furniture is from 1869 and by RJ & J Goodacre.[3]
Ministry[edit]
St Botolph's is part of the Fosse Team in the Diocese of Leicester,[4] it has services on three Sunday evenings per month.[5] The other churches in the team are:
- St Mary's Church, Barkby
- St Hilda's Church, East Goscote
- St Mary's Church, Queniborough
- St Michael and All Angels' Church, Rearsby
- St Peter & St Paul, Syston
- Holy Trinity Church, Thrussington
- St Michael and All Angels' Church, Thurmaston
Notable parishioners[edit]
- Richard Kilby (1560 - 1620) - Professor of Hebrew at Oxford University, credited with translating the later part of the Old Testament for the King James Version of the bible.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Church of St Botolph, Main Street, Ratcliffe on the Wreake - Listed Buildings - Charnwood Borough Council". www.charnwood.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ a b Historic England. "Church of St Botolph (1278781)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Ratcliffe on the Wreake | Leicestershire & Rutland Church Journal". www.leicestershirechurches.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "St Botolph's, Ratcliffe on the Wreake". The Fosse Team. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ "Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake: St Botolph, Ratcliffe on the Wreake". A Church Near You. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ^ M'Clure, Alexander Wilson (1 January 1853). The Translators Revived: A Biographical Memoir of the Authors of the English Version of the Holy Bible. C. Scribner.
The Translators Revived: A Biographical Memoir of the Authors of the English Version of the Holy Bible.
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