Our Church Buildings

All three of our churches are Grade II* listed buildings.  Only 4% of listed buildings in England are of this status and are classified as particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Each of the three has its own Friends organisation which is very active and supportive in raising funds to assist with maintenance and the enhancement of facilities.

St Mary's, Sileby

St. Mary’s has a fine pinnacled tower, and is a very good example of medieval art.  Further architectural details are provided by Pevsner and may be accessed on the Charnwood Listed Buildings web site.

What is so Special about St. Mary’s Church?   The earliest part of the church building dates from the 12th century, which makes it over 850 years old.  The church roof dates back to the 15th century – look up to see the carved angels and roof bosses.
Church Bells:   There is a ring of 10 bells, with the oldest being at least 380 years old; the newest bells of the ring were installed in 1981.  Although not cast as a complete ring, and varying greatly in age, they are of excellent tone.
Modern Church: In recent years, through the fund-raising efforts of the Friends of St. Mary’s, two major projects have been successfully completed; firstly the refurbishment of the roof, and secondly the installation of a new electrical system.   The latest modernisation of the church has only recently been completed (2008) with the installation of the new toilet and kitchen facilities, along with an open meeting area.
Friends of St Mary’s:   Set up in 1999 to raise much needed funds for the refurbishment of the fabric of the church, it has raised in excess of £90,000 from numerous sources.  Currently there are 78 members from Sileby village and around.  If you would like to join the Friends, and help in the maintenance of the church building for future generations, then please view the Friends' website, for contact and membership details along with a host of other information including recent renovations.

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All Saints', Cossington

Architectural details are provided by Pevsner and may be accessed on the Charnwood Listed Buildings web site.

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All Saints', Seagrave

The parish of Seagrave which has lived in relative seclusion over the centuries has a church with a history, like that of the village, which can be traced back to Saxon times.  It is dedicated to All Saints, which tends to be a 13th century dedication, but parts of the fabric pre-date this by some two hundred years.  It is highly probable that the church occupies the site of the Saxon church which served the existing village.  The font is late Saxon / early Norman. The communion table is of especial interest being a Mensa (three of the consecration crosses are still visible) though it is thought to date from much earlier than medieval times.  Other items of interest are the early musical instruments and the chancel windows - the south one being of beautiful Murano glass and its opposite in the chancel north wall contains a mistake.  Try spotting it if you come to visit the church!

Seagrave, never having 'suffered' the consequences of excess wealth, the church remains plain, unadorned and much as it must have been when the rood screen, wall paintings and other decorations were removed at the Reformation.  Twentieth and twenty-first century alterations make it much more convenient for the needs of modern congregations.

Further architectural details are provided by Pevsner and may be accessed on the Charnwood Listed Buildings web site.

Detailed records of Rectors (since c1180) and of Baptisms, Marriages, Burials etc. (1690 - 1910) are available on the Seagrave Village web site.

	Stone mensas were removed, and in general destroyed, at the time of the Reformation.  After that time it was no longer permissible to make Communion Tables from stone.  Seagrave's mensa had been thought to be a gravestone but was discovered against the east wall of the chancel by the Archdeacon of Leicester, Ven. R B Cole.  It was restored to its present position in 1974.
The late Saxon / early Norman font is the oldest part of the church and is set on a 19th Century base.
	The Serpent is a 16th Century musical instrument.  That and the ophicleide were in regular use for church music for many years.  For further information see the Serpent Web Site,

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