Description

TF 16 SE KIRKSTEAD off ABBEY LANE
(south side)

1/22 Church of St.
Leonard
14.9.66

- I

Former chapel to Kirkstead Abbey, now Parish church, c.1230-60, restored in 1913-4
by Weir. Limestone ashlar and squared coursed rubble,
weatherboarded gable, plain tiled roof with timber bellcote
having shaped leaded roof. Single cell plan. West end has large
corner buttresses, chamfered string course and central pointed
planked double doors with C13 scrolled iron hinges. The doorway
is of 3 orders with shafts bearing stiff leaf capitals, moulded
outer arch, having dogtooth moulding and to pointed door head
also. Hood mould with foliate stops. Above a blind arcade of 3
bays with shafts having stiff leaf capitals, dogtooth moulded
pointed arches, the central one containing a vesica. The side
walls are buttressed with plain moulded corbels and cill band.
In the north side 5 tall lancets with hood moulds and blocked
doorway with moulded reveals and dogtooth moulding to pointed
head. In the east end 3 stepped lancets. South wall as north
but with 6 lancets. Interior. 2 cells of ribbed quadripartite
vaulting, the shafts rising from annular corbels with stiff leaf,
foliage, they spring in turn from a keeled string course which
continues round the interior. The ribs meet in floriate bosses
and the cross ribs dividing the cells have dogtoothing. In the
chancel is a sexpartite vault with dogtoothed mid rib, and a boss
bearing the Agnus Dei. In the south wall a triangular headed
aumbry. The rear arches of the windows have keeled shafts to the
reveals and in one section of the nave early plaster is visible,
gauged to resemble ashlar. In the west end a small planked door
with chamfered surround and lintel. Fittings. Early C13 wooden
screen arcade, reset in 1926 on new base, comprising trefoil
arches on slender octagonal piers and facetted capitals. Font is
a re-used medieval mortar with side lugs set on a cylindrical
stone base. Monument. In the chancel, upper part only of C13
recumbent effigy to a knight, showing the deceased with chain
mail, surcoat and shield, wearing helm, head on cushion with
sprays of stiff leaf foliage to either side.
An intact building of outstanding quality.

Listing NGR: TF1901261373

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• St Leonard's Without at Wikipedia
• St Leonard's Without official website
• Wikidata Q7594002

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)