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All Saints Church, Sheepy Magna
The
present church in Sheepy Magna was rebuilt in 1778 and stands on the site of
a much earlier building. There is documentary evidence to suggest that
the earlier church probably predated 1150. When the church was rebuilt
it appears that the outline plan was close to the original building.
The North aisle and a porch were added in 1859.
Amongst the treasures of All Saints; the jewels must be the Burne-Jones and Kempe stained glass windows. (See Picture Gallery 1 on Martyn Parson's web site; link below).
There has been a rectory in Sheepy Magna from early times, situated down the lane behind the church. The old rectory was replaced in 1856 by a grand Victorian house, which still exists, but no longer belongs to the church. The present rectory was built in the 1960's on the site of where the old rectory stood.
In his History of Leicestershire, Nicholls used an etching of 1791 which shows All Saints Church as it was then and the old rectory standing imposingly behind.
Martyn Parsons has created an excellent web site, from which I have taken the above information and a copy of the 1791 etching (seen to the right). If you are interested in learning more about the history of All Saints Church, Sheepy and the parish of Sheepy and its people, please use the link below to connect to Martyn's web site.
www.mdlp.co.uk/resources/Sheepy/
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MaintenanceIn 2003, the West end of the North aisle was converted to a community meeting area and the tower base was adapted for use as a satellite Post Office facility for the village. New toilet facilities were also included in the refurbishment. This building work has enabled Sheepy Church to serve the local community in a variety of ways. It is open two mornings a week for the Post Office services; local news publications are on sale and refreshments are served. In 2005 work was completed on re-roofing the Nave, thanks to the generosity of English Heritage and other grant making bodies. Local village groups use the amenities and when there are concerts or exhibitions in the church everyone benefits from what is on offer. In May 2006, English Heritage chose Sheepy Church to launch their 'Inspire!' campaign - which is promoting the creative use of parish churches everywhere. March 2009. The floor in the church is badly in need of replacement. To carry out this work, it will be necessary to remove all of the pews. Consultation is now taking place as to how (whether) the pews should be put back, after the work has been completed. There are a number of suggestions and, if you would like to contribute to the discussion please contact the church wardens in Sheepy, to give them your views. New Maintenance Project (April 2010): An Open Meeting was held to discuss the proposals for the repair of the church floor and other maintenance work. 35 people attended. At the presentation it was explained that the preferred proposal to solve the present problems is to install a new stone floor with under floor heating and new seating. It would allow greater flexibility in the use of the church, if chairs are used for seating instead of pews. June 2010. The Floor Fund now stands at £9687.62 October 2011: Notice of intent to apply for a faculty to authorise:
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