Ryhall Church - St. John The Evangelist Church, Ryhall
History Of The Ryhall Church
The Ryhall Church you see today is not the original one. An earlier one, built in 1108, was where the nave now stands, and probably had a small chancel to the East. Presumably it fell into disrepair, and the one you now see was built early in the thirteenth century. The side aisles were built a little later.
The chancel was added in the fifteenth century when both aisles were widened, and the clerestory (rank of windows high on the walls) added.
Its clear glass windows, typical of Rutland churches add to its beauty. The stained glass window in what was the Lady Chapel, to the East of the chancel arch, is by Thomas Kempe – you can see a sheaf of wheat, his trademark.
Around the Ryhall church are niches where statues once stood. These were almost certainly destroyed at the Reformation.
The Ryhall church has two unusual features –the C15th carved human heads and animals and the remains of St Tibba’s cell. St Tibba, Patron Saint of falconers was an Anchorite (Female Hermit). Roads in the village are named after her and St Eabba, another Anchorite.
The outline of her cell, a squint, or window through which she could hear the Mass and a niche where food was passed to her, are still visible on the outer East wall.
Ryhall Church Today
The Ryhall church is currently undergoing a large restoration and renewal programme. We have to replace the roof, which is leaking in many places, and the old guttering and down-pipes.
We plan to replace the life-expired heating system with a more efficient and environmentally-friendly one, and to install a new lighting and audio-visual system – and, of course, to encourage more people to come to faith, rekindle a forgotten or abandoned faith, practise the faith they value or indulge their interest in church architecture.
We have strong links with our Church Primary School, Ryhall Academy. The children are regular visitors to church for their RE lessons and termly services. Rev Jo visits the school weekly to lead Assembly.
Another increasingly strong link is with our friends from the Methodist Church and their Minister, Revd William Booker. We share a common faith (plus coffee and cake) and worship from time to time as Churches Together in Ryhall.
Recent Ryhall & Belmethorpe News
St John’s Bells celebrate 400th Birthday
St John’s, Ryhall celebrated the 400th birthday of one of its bells with a free community event. Some 80 guests at St John’s Church in Ryhall enjoyed refreshments, an exhibition, and bell-themed games on Saturday (October 3). The three bells have been around for centuries, living through 12 English monarchs.
St John’s Biodiversity Survey Results!
Biodiversity! The St John’s, Ryhall Environmental Committee do their best to promote good environmental practices in and around the church building. Here is the first feedback from the August
St John’s Church Biodiversity Survey – 1st August
St John’s is holding a biodiversity survey in our churchyard to help care for this special green space and support local wildlife. It ties in with Churches Count on Nature, but we’ve planned it for the school summer holidays so more people can join in. You may already have heard
Wow! What’s this?
This special painting has been donated for the lottery that St John’s is running to support it’s fundraising for the next stage of its renewal and restoration of the church building. The draw for the painting will be made at the village fete on 11th July. Details on how to
Cups, Bells, Cakes and More!
Volunteers from St John’s, Ryhall were delighted to support Ryhall Academy’s Annual May Festival on Friday 22nd May which coincided with our celebration of the bells at St John’s being 400 years old this year. This wonderful event celebrates the start of Summer with the whole school being involved in