North Warwickshire Churches...North Warwickshire Churches Churches Guide Introduction Churches are the great stone monuments that are a testament to people's faith in God. They are

North Warwickshire

Churches

North Warwickshire

Churches

Churches GuideIntroductionChurches are the great stonemonuments that are atestament to people's faith inGod. They are the realisationof the visions and inspirationof the people who built themand of those who worshipwithin their sacred walls.

For churches are far morethan bricks, stone and mortar,far more than fine examples ofdesign and style. They are thefocus of the landscape and theguardians of stories.

Stories of people, tales ofgood deeds, of intrigue, ofrogues, of martyrs, of battlesand conflict and many more.

This guide gives you clues tothe stories that the churchesin North Warwickshire holdwithin their walls.

To understand these storiesyou need to visit the churchesand stand within their holywalls, breathing in theatmosphere of these sacredplaces that inspired theactions as told within theseancient tales.

AstleyThe Church of St Mary the VirginThe Flame, The Thief and Two English Queens

Astley Church was once the size of a cathedralwhere religious scholars gathered for study inthis quiet country community. Worshippers wereguided through the depths of the Forest of Ardento this clearing by a flame lit in the spire. Thechurch lies within the sight of an abandonedcastle that was once the home to two EnglishQueens. Later the church fell into disrepairfollowing the actions of a thief and was restoredto the presence we see in the landscape today. Itholds within its walls the tales of these familiesthrough the architectural treasures that adornthe splendid interior.

Address: Nuthurst Lane, Astley, CV10 7QHOpening Arrangements: Open first Saturdayof every month 10.30am - 2.00pm. Other timesby arrangement - contact 024 7638 3010

AtherstoneSt MaryNorman Monks, The Battling Earl and the School

The Normans came in conquest and saw victory.With this victory the Abbey of Bec was given agrant of land here in Atherstone. A Friary wasfounded by the Augustians with a chapel forholy services. This chapel with its now octagonalbell tower was to be the place of communion foran Earl prior to his battle under the banner of ared rose. His victory saw him become the Kingof All England. His son was to later remove thefriary, and so the chapel became a school.Discover these tales within these walls, effigiesand windows.

Address: Market Square, Atherstone, CV9 1EXOpening Arrangements: Open during serviceson Sundays and Wednesdays. Tuesdays andFridays (Market Days) 10.00am - noon. Othertimes by arrangement - contact 01827 713030

Coleshill The Church of St Peter & St PaulCrusaders, Plotters and the Medieval Preaching Stump

Coleshill church is a giant in stone thatwatches over this ancient coaching town. Itpays homage to crusaders and gunpowderplotters. The monumental treasures tell thestories of loyalty and treason, which saw themanor's ownership pass from one family toanother. Find out about these heroic timeswithin the walls and monuments and ask as towhether the vicar with too many fingers everpreached at the medieval preaching stump.

Address: Church Hill, Coleshill, B46 3AEOpening Arrangements: Easter to the endof September - Wednesdays and Saturdays11.00am - 1.00pm. Other times byarrangement - contact 01675 462188

CorleyParish ChurchAncient Moorland Sanctuary, Stonework Puzzles and a Rhyme

The weather vane upon its brow guides thewinds across the moor, for huddled on thishilly stance we find an ancient sanctuary thatis Corley church. Here the Normans builttheir chapel in a landscape of woods andgrass. Now we see a church of stone in manystyles, some rough, some smooth does thissuggest times of change? Enter through thelychgate to discover this treasure and thetale of the rector's son who turned hismemories into verse.

Address: Tamworth Road, Corley, CV7 8BBOpening Arrangements: Church open forservices Sunday, Monday and Wednesday.Other times by arrangement - contact 01676 540579

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GrendonAll SaintsThe Lost Manor House and the Scandal of the Eloping Lady

Grendon church stands alone as a monumentto a lost time, when the land was owned bythe Lords of the Manor, who commandedpower over the landscape and the people wholived, worked and worshipped within it. Thechurch lies on the edge of a great park thatonce housed a now lost manor house. It ishere that generations of the Chetwynd familywere raised, and it is their story that thechurch tells, through the monuments anddecoration in its vast interior. Stories that tellof family unity and of the scandal of theeloping Victorian lady.

Address: Atherstone Road, Grendon, CV9 3DPOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01827 715327

KingsburySt Peter and St PaulTales of Lost Treasures and Dante's Inferno

Kingsbury church with all its splendour thatwe see today, has a finer, glorious past thatboasted a beauty of images finely paintedand crafted in glass. Alas this is all but gone.This raises the question as to why? Was it the Tudor Lawmakers who missedMiddleton, but found Kingsbury? Or was itthe riotous behaviour of the children whoattended school in the chapel? Enter thesedoors to find out the answers, and learn ofhow Dante's Inferno was made available tothe English.

Address: Church Lane, Kingsbury, B78 2LROpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01827 874252

MancetterSt PeterGlory in Glass, Books in Chains andMartyrs of Unswerving Faith

Upon the green, aside the manor between thealmshouses, snugly sits Mancetter church.Built upon this site of a Roman military fort.This jewel of stone mounted with glorioustinted glass of saintly imagery and the Tree ofJesse, holds within its care a library of bookslocked up in chains. Find out about these talesof unswerving faith and martyrdom. Enterthese holy walls and seek out these treasures,and feel the aura of peace, which holds thememories of more turbulent days, whenbeliefs were questioned and the faithfulpersecuted.

Address: The Green, Mancetter, CV9 1NLOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01827 713266

MerevaleSt Mary (The Church of Our Lady)The Abbey Ruins, Ancient Glass, and the Victorian Gate

Unlatch the gate and wander on through toMerevale Church, The Church of our Lady, or“the chapel outside the gate”. The proportionsdiffer from those normally seen reflecting thestyle of Abbey Gate chapels that have nearly allgone. See the fine windows of the monk'smagnificent “Tree of Jesse” and Victorianmemorial glass in this rare and unusual church.Then return through the Victorian gatehousebuilt in the style of the erstwhile Abbey.

Address: Merevale Lane, Merevale, CV9 2LAOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01827 874252

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MiddletonSt John the BaptistUn-lost Treasures, the Naturalist, Sense and Sensibility

A church of un-lost treasures, it boasts ofpaintings and rood screens, that were so oftenlost when the churches were ransacked underTudor laws. Is there a tale here as to why theysurvived? Did the lawmakers miss this churchthat nestles quietly in the village? A churchthat saw a naturalist's family as the great andthe good, whose name was preserved in thewords of a novel. The family monumentsprovide a focal point within these walls ofprayer and worship.

Address: Middleton Village, B78 2ANOpening Arrangements: Open daily 9.00am - 5.00pm

Newton Regis St Mary the VirginChurch of Kings, Cathedral Builders and Prehistoric Pavements

Newton Regis church watches over this quiet,picturesque village, with its cottages and duckpond. An idyllic spot for this a silent house ofworship that holds the tales of Kings afterwhom the village took its royal name. Thereare stories of worthy families who helped tobuild cathedrals and close by is “the rock” thathas seen time pass from pre-history. Whattales could it tell, if it could but speak?

Address: Main Road, Newton Regis, B79 0NGOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01827 839022

SeckingtonAll SaintsA Castle Mound, A King’s Murder and the American President

Seckington church is a giant in the landscapethat watches over the village, farms and theremains of a castle. However this peacefulplace has not always been so. For it is whereSaxon royal blood was spilt. Was it hissuccessor or some treacherous deed thatresulted in the king's death? These holy wallsalso hold the tale of an American President'sfamily who lived and worshiped here inunsettled times.

Address: Church Lane, Seckington, B79 0LDOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01827 839022

PolesworthThe Abbey Church of St EdithaSaxon Nuns, Ancient Walls and Writers

Through the Abbey Gateway into PolesworthAbbey there is an ever-present aura ofholiness and peace. This is a sacred place,where Saxon nuns established an Abbey. Theancient Cloister walls and peaceful garden arethere for you to see. There are tales ofchange, of conflict as well as peace. This is aplace, on the banks of the River Anker, wherescholars and poets were inspired to write.

Address: High Street, Polesworth, B78 2AEOpening Arrangements: Open daily for morning and evening prayer (8.30am &6.00pm) and Sundays for Holy Communion(10.00am). The Abbey, Refectory and SensoryGardens open Tuesday - Sunday10.00am - noon and 2.00pm - 4.00pm.For further information - contact01827 892340

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HartshillHoly TrinityA Colossal Doorway, the ExpressionistArchitect and Merevale Oak

Address: Church Road, HartshillOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 024 7639 2266

Lea MarstonSt John the BaptistThe Remote Home of a Missionary, aWriter of Hymns and Gladstone's Visit

Address: Church Lane, Lea MarstonOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01675 481252

MaxstokeSt Michael & All AngelsThe Priory, the Royal Navy Captain and his Wife, the Mormon Prophet

Address: Maxstoke Village, MaxstokeOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01675 462188

Nether WhitacreSt GilesSaxon Stones, Handel's Messiah and the Giant Redwood Tree

Address: Tamworth-Coventry Road (A51),Nether WhitacreOpening Arrangements: Open daily dawn till dusk

AnsleySt LaurenceLady Godiva, the Poet Laureate and the Hermitage

Address: Church End, AnsleyOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 024 7639 9070

ArleySt WilfridThe Northumbrian Saint, Archers Marks and Local Coal

Address: Rectory Road, Old ArleyOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 024 7639 9070

Baddesley EnsorSt NicholasVictorian Renewal, a Mining Disaster and a Martyred Bishop

Address: Hill Top, Baddesley EnsorOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01827 715327

CurdworthSt Nicholas & Peter Ad Vincula Saxon Imagery, Civil War Secrets and Dr Johnson's Grandparents

Address: Glebe Fields (off Coleshill Road), CurdworthOpening Arrangements: Open daily9.00am - 5.00pm

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Over WhitacreSt LeonardA Tale of Two Churches, Wonderful Viewsand Iron Smelting

Address: Nuneaton Road, Over WhitacreOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01675 481252

ShuttingtonSt MatthewThe Petite Church on the Ridge,Spectacular Vista and the Priory

Address: Church Lane, ShuttingtonOpening Arrangements: Open byarrangement - contact 01827 839022

Coleshill - Sacred Heart & St Teresa67 Coventry Road, Coleshill

Dordon - St LeonardChurch Road, Dordon

Fillongley - St Mary & All SaintsTamworth Road, Fillongley

Freasley - St MaryFreasley

Great Packington - St JamesPackington Estate, Meriden (access by prior arrangement only - contact the Estate Office on 01676 522020)

Grendon - Methodist ChurchBoot Hill, Grendon

Hartshill - Methodist ChurchGrange Road, Hartshill

Hurley - The ResurrectionHeanley Lane, Hurley

New Arley - St MichaelGun Hill, New Arley

Polesworth - Congregational ChapelHigh Street, Polesworth

Polesworth - Baptist ChurchThe Gullet, Polesworth

Ridge Lane - Methodist ChurchRidge Lane, Oldbury

Shustoke - St CuthbertChurch End, Shustoke

Warton - Holy TrinityChurch Road, Warton

Water Orton - SS Peter & PaulNew Road & Coleshill Road, Water Orton

Wishaw - St ChadThe Gravel (off Church Lane and Ryefield Lane), Wishaw

Wood End - St Michael & All AngelsSmith Street, Wood End

As you travel around North Warwickshire why not look out for some ofthe other fascinating churches and chapels dotted around the countryside;

Arley - Methodist Church & Community CentreRectory Road, Old Arley

Atherstone - St BenedictOwen Street, Atherstone

Atherstone - Trinity Methodist URCColeshill Road, Atherstone

Austrey - St NicholasChurch Lane, Austrey

Baddesley Ensor - Trinity Methodist URCKeys Hill, Baddesley Ensor

Baxterley - The ChurchBaxterley

Birchmoor - Mission ChurchNew Street, Birchmoor

Caldecote - St Theobald & St ChadCaldecote Village

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Public TransportFor information on public transport in North Warwickshire contact:Warwickshire County CouncilWebsite: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/publictransportTelephone: 01926 412987

or Travel LineWebsite: www.traveline.org.ukTelephone: 0870 608 2 608

DisclaimerThis leaflet features a selection of churches in North Warwickshire, which have beenchosen due to their historical interest.

Whilst great care has been taken to ensure the information is correct, at the time ofpublication, responsibility cannot be accepted for inaccuracies or omissions.

The text contained in this leaflet is also available in large print.

Photograph acknowledgmentsPhotography is provided courtesy of Adam Craig Photography, Malcolm Dewhirst andRachel Samways.

Text acknowledgmentsThe information within this leaflet has been compiled by a dedicated team of localvolunteers, and written by Malcolm Dewhirst.

The text contained in this leaflet is also available in large print

ContactFor further information on this guide or anyof the churches featured in it contact theTourism Development Officer at NorthWarwickshire Borough Council on:

Telephone: 01827 719301

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.northwarks.gov.uk

Address: The Council House, South Street,Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 1BG

Further ReadingIf you have enjoyed reading this 'Guide toChurches in North Warwickshire' why nottake a look at the 'Guide to Heritage inNorth Warwickshire'. To receive a copycontact the Tourism Development Officer.

And if you would like to know even moreabout the area's interesting history, look outfor the North Arden Heritage Trail project,which is being launched in Summer 2006.

photo: St Peter’s, Mancetter

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