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
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe – Dec 2021
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE CLASSES with Sam McGreevy are back at Ryhall village hall. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 We rely on the income from advertising to pay for the newsletter, so please support our advertisers whenever you can. RYHALL CRAFT FAYRE We would like to say a very big
Ryhall Parish Council – Nov 2021
Dave Amies – Chairman – The Post Office , Ryhall Adrian Gombault – Vice Chairman – Elm Tree Cottage, Belmesthorpe David Wilby – County Councillor – Orchard House Essendine Road, Ryhall Stamford PE9 4HE dwilby@rutland.gov.uk Richard Coleman – County Councillor – 5 Plover Road, Essendine Stamford PE94UR RColeman@rutland.gov.uk CLERK :
St John’s Church, Ryhall – Nov 2021
Winners of the September 50Plus Draw 1st Prize £106-50 – number 34 – Jean Shields. 2nd Prize £53-25 – number 59 – Steve Jessop. 3rd Prize £17-75 – number 13 – Chris Parsons. I would like to say a big thank-you to all the ladies who made the church look
Ryhall Village Hall Quiz Night – Nov 2021
QUIZ NIGHT : The village hall committee is hosting a quiz and nibbles night on Saturday 13th November at 7.30pm. Teams of up to 6 people with a cost of £8 per person to include complimentary quality nibbles. To book in your team please contact Anne on 01780 754621 or
Ryhall Academy News – Nov 2021
Ryhall CE Academy have had a productive start to the school year and it has begun with a full intake in the new Reception Class, totalling an astounding 199 children in the school now. Since the start of the academic year, the school has been able to cautiously return to
St. John’s Restoration & Renewal Plan Update – Nov 2021
Autumn is fast approaching as I write this. It will be an exciting time for restoration. The fallen wall in the churchyard has just been repaired, thanks to Rutland Country Council. We are hopeful that the relaying of the churchyard paths will start soon thanks to the Burghley House Preservation Trust,
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe – Nov 2021
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE CLASSES with Sam McGreevy are back at Ryhall village hall. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Autumn is upon us and we enjoy several special events in these months. This means that we are out and about in the dark, so please take
Ryhall Parish Council – Oct 2021
Dave Amies – Chairman – The Post Office , Ryhall Adrian Gombault – Vice Chairman – Elm Tree Cottage, Belmesthorpe David Wilby – County Councillor – Orchard House Essendine Road, Ryhall Stamford PE9 4HE dwilby@rutland.gov.uk Richard Coleman – County Councillor – 5 Plover Road, Essendine Stamford PE94UR RColeman@rutland.gov.uk CLERK :
St John’s Church, Ryhall – Oct 2021
Winners of the September 50Plus Draw 1st Prize £109-50 – number 08 – John Smith. 2nd Prize £54-75 – number 45 – Jane Hinsley. 3rd Prize £18-25 – number 07- Janet Grey. Join the 50Plus Club TODAY for just £5.00 a month. This gives you a chance of winning one
St. John’s Restoration & Renewal Plan Update – Oct 2021
Wonderful news! Rutland County Council has approved St. John’s Planning Application (subject to several reasonable conditions) to replace the worn-out lead roof with a new one in terne-coated stainless steel. We are very grateful to everyone who has supported this long process. Planning Approval is a vital step to preserve
News from Ryhall and Belmesthorpe – Oct 2021
CLUBBERCISE EXERCISE CLASSES with Sam McGreevy are back at Ryhall village hall. Weds and Fri 9.15-10.00 am. Contact Sam 07887 802621 STAMFORD FLOWER CLUB: 11th October 7pm Ryhall Village Hall, Enjoy watching and be entertained by demonstrator Wendy Goodliffe creating at least 5 beautiful floral arrangements on the theme ‘It’s all
St John’s Church, Ryhall – Sept 2021
50-PLUS WINNERS FOR AUGUST 1st Prize £114-00 – number 12 – Robin Fenn. 2nd Prize £57-00 – number 11 – Rosemary Krezwell. 3rd Prize £19-00 – number 47 – Peter Rickett. Join the 50Plus Club TODAY for just £5-00 a month. This gives you a chance of winning one of
News from the Village of Belmesthorpe – Sept 2021
As many will have noticed, RYHALL LIBRARY has now resumed normal service. Opening hours are from 9.00 am – 5.00 pm with a half hour break from 1.00 – 1.30 pm on Mondays and Thursdays, and from 9.00 am – 1.00 pm on Saturdays. Please note the earlier starting and
St. John’s Restoration & Renewal Plan Update – Sept 2021
I hope you have enjoyed your summer. What a wonderful day we had for the Ryhall Village Fete on 17th July. The weather was beautiful, crowds of people came for a day out and the buzz continued all afternoon. So many people complimented the wide array of goods, plants, games,
News from the Village of Ryhall – Sept 2021
THE VILLAGE HALL IS BACK IN BUSINESS The village hall is now open and operating normally after Lockdown. For information regarding hiring the hall or any activities there, please contact Anne Virgin on 01780 754621 or 07751 098996 or email anne.virgin@btopenworld.com News from the Village of Ryhall RYHALL PLAYGROUP FOR
Ryhall Parish Council – Aug 2021
Dave Amies – Chairman – The Post Office , Ryhall Adrian Gombault – Vice Chairman – Elm Tree Cottage, Belmesthorpe David Wilby – County Councillor – Orchard House Essendine Road, Ryhall Stamford PE9 4HE dwilby@rutland.gov.uk Richard Coleman – County Councillor – 5 Plover Road, Essendine Stamford PE94UR RColeman@rutland.gov.uk CLERK :
St John’s Church, Ryhall – Aug 2021
50PLUS WINNERS FOR JULY 1st Prize £114-00 – number 35 – Jane Mckee. 2nd Prize £57-00 – number 55 – Eileen Morgan. 3rd Prize £19-00 – number 80 – Betty Edwards. Join the 50Plus Club TODAY for just £5-00 a month. This gives you a chance of winning one of
News from the Village of Belmesthorpe – Aug – 2021
IN YOUR GARDEN THIS MONTH Prune summer flowering shrubs once they have flowered. Keep on top of weeds as they compete with crops for nutrients and water. Water camellias and rhododendrons thoroughly this month to make sure that next year’s buds develop well. Stake tall or top-heavy dahlias and lilies
St. John’s Restoration & Renewal Plan Update – Aug 2021
We were delighted to welcome some new faces at our family-friendly Thanksgiving Service on 11th July when we reflected on the impact of the pandemic and God’s message of hope. Thank you to all those who helped to make it a special occasion. Thanks to Karen & Steve Bourne of
News from the Village of Ryhall – Aug 2021
Rutland Ride & Stride Saturday 11th September 2021 Ride and Stride is an event to help preserve local and historic churches. Rutland has 64 churches, which are much loved features of our villages and towns. They need to be preserved and this event raises funds to assist with that. Participants