then and now - Congerstone Leicestershire

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Congerstone Leicestershire stands in a secluded position at the western edge of the village with views across the River Sence to Bilstone and Gopsall Park, It is a small stone building consisting of chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch and a low embattled 2 stage tower containing 5 bells
There is no mention of a church here at "Cvningstone" in the 1086 Domesday survey, but their has been worship here since at least 1179. By 1220 William de Cyningston was its first recorded priest who had been instituted by Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln. This church, probably of wood & stone with beaten earth floor and thatched roof has completely gone. The oldest parts of the present church (the tower and nave) are probably 16c with the remainder being relatively recent 19c additions and alterations.
In the late 17c & early 18c the Jennens family were patrons & benefactors, Felicea Jennens donating church plate in 1718.
Charles Jennens c1750 built Gopsall Hall, said to one of the grandest mansions in the Country and had composer George Frideric Handel to stay on a number of occasions . A 2014 window commemorates this www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/A86n1L

Nichols, in 1809, documents the presence of wall paintings and some stained or painted glass (Coats of Arms) in the tower window and in “the south window on high”. Two of the wall paintings were “pictures of one kneeling” with writing beneath referring to Johannis Charnels and Roberti Langham. www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/113pa6 The former was presumably related to Richard and Thomas de Charnels who were consecutive rectors from 1298 to 1349 None of the glass or paintings remains today.

Alterations that took place in 1834 were based on those originally planned in 1831 by William Martin & funded by the Earls Howe of Gopsall Park, and had a great effect on both the outward appearance of the church (A drawing of 1793 shows the small chancel before it was demolished ) and the accommodation within. Sadly this was probably when the wall paintings and original glass were destroyed.
A larger chancel, the width of the nave & north aisle was built and has an over-large south door. The Howe family and Servants’ box pews were installed at this time. The Howe pew, immediately to the left of the altar, included an open fire for added comfort. The (unusable) fireplace remains today Other work included the erection of the tower arch with a gallery, into which was installed a “fine toned” organ (not the current organ or “Handel’s” organ from Gopsall Hall), and construction of the arches from the north aisle to the chancel.

By the 1890s there were cracks in the south wall and tower, a badly leaking roof and a porch in a state of advanced decay.
A faculty was granted In 1897 for repairs by “divine permission of the Lord Bishop of Peterborough” in response to a petition from the rector Henry Elias Slater Pochin, provided, obviously learning from the last repairs, there were " no alterations to the seats, plaques, stones or other architectural features". A new porch was built & the roof replaced . The estimated cost of the repairs was between £200 and £600.

The bells are marked with the maker’s name around the top and dated 1841 and all but the smallest (the treble) have inscriptions. The largest (tenor) bell is inscribed l:
"When wedded hearts contract seal
I ring for them the merry peal
When friends lament the parting soul
Herald of death I toll
For young and old For grave and gay
My chime resounds each sacred day"

Graveyard epitaphs - congerstonevillage.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Not-F...

Drawing congerstonevillage.co.uk/test-2/

Taken on: September 26, 2019

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