Essendine Church - St. Mary Magdalene, Essendine
History Of The Essendine Church
Essendine once had a C12th moated wooden castle. The Essendine church sits at the edge of the site, on the banks of the castle moat. The moat is usually dry, but after prolonged rain it fills from the adjacent West Glen river and the church has flooded several times.
The Essendine church comprises a chancel and nave. It dates back to the C12th with C13th additions. It has no tower, but a bell-cote, another Rutland idiosyncracy. The door is believed to date from 1130-40, but some historians think it is Saxon. It is possible that it came from another disused or ruined church.
Over the door is a carving of Christ in Majesty supported by angels on either side. Its primitive nature suggests Saxon origins.
Recent Essendine Church News
Essendine Needs your help!
Essendine, St Mary Magdalene, is in crisis. Probably dating from the time of the Crusades nearly 1000 year ago, the church building is steeped in prayer, in history – and now rain, as the photos show. Would you be able to help the church family, the congregation, keep the roof