Kegworth Heritage Centre
Kegworth Heritage Plaques - St. Andrew's Church
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Date unknown
Date Unknown
2024
2024
One of the Medieval Bandsman - 2024
One of the Medieval Bandsman - 2024
During Flower Festival 2024
During Remembrance 2024
Not only is St Andrew’s Church Grade II listed, but also the lamp in front of the main doorway, and the gateway to the churchyard which includes the gate, gate piers and lamp overthrow flanked immediately on each side by the war memorial alcoves.
The church is believed to be originally built in Saxon times but no trace of this building exists. The oldest part of the present building is the lower part of the west tower which was built between 1200 and 1250. In about 1370, the whole of the rest of the church was pulled down and rebuilt. Most village churches are a result of piecemeal enlarging and rebuilding at different times. At Kegworth, the nave, aisles, transept, chancel and vestry were rebuilt, the old tower given buttresses and an upper stage added. In 1860, the church underwent another major restoration which resulted in a fine sturdy building but caused the loss of a large part of architectural history. The medieval glass disappeared, except for a few jumbled fragments in a south window of the chancel, and a great series of floor slabs were buried under a new floor.
The vestry formerly had a small chamber above it, lit by two single-light windows. The story goes that this used to be a hermit’s cell, and when the hermit later moved out it was to build a new cell where The Hermitage stands.
Another local legend tells of a secret passage, about six feet wide with an arched roof, that ran from below the font in the church to The Hermitage. Was this used by priests to hide gold during Henry VIII’s reformation? Another theory is that it was an old 18th century sewer, less romantic but more likely.
One unique feature to be seen inside the church and high up on the walls is a series of fourteen figures representing medieval bandsmen with their instruments. Other features, far too many to be listed here, can be found in a short guide which can be picked up from within the church. With the exception of service times, it is usually open on Wednesday mornings from 10.30 until about noon.
The church is believed to be originally built in Saxon times but no trace of this building exists. The oldest part of the present building is the lower part of the west tower which was built between 1200 and 1250. In about 1370, the whole of the rest of the church was pulled down and rebuilt. Most village churches are a result of piecemeal enlarging and rebuilding at different times. At Kegworth, the nave, aisles, transept, chancel and vestry were rebuilt, the old tower given buttresses and an upper stage added. In 1860, the church underwent another major restoration which resulted in a fine sturdy building but caused the loss of a large part of architectural history. The medieval glass disappeared, except for a few jumbled fragments in a south window of the chancel, and a great series of floor slabs were buried under a new floor.
The vestry formerly had a small chamber above it, lit by two single-light windows. The story goes that this used to be a hermit’s cell, and when the hermit later moved out it was to build a new cell where The Hermitage stands.
Another local legend tells of a secret passage, about six feet wide with an arched roof, that ran from below the font in the church to The Hermitage. Was this used by priests to hide gold during Henry VIII’s reformation? Another theory is that it was an old 18th century sewer, less romantic but more likely.
One unique feature to be seen inside the church and high up on the walls is a series of fourteen figures representing medieval bandsmen with their instruments. Other features, far too many to be listed here, can be found in a short guide which can be picked up from within the church. With the exception of service times, it is usually open on Wednesday mornings from 10.30 until about noon.