The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) has been carrying out work to its 349th property in care, a Grade II* listed church in Rutland and a Grade I listed property in Leicestershire.
The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) writes:
Two medieval churches in the East Midlands join The Churches
Conservation Trust today, becoming the 348th and 349th churches in our care.
A special event tomorrow (15th April) at St Mary’s Church at Freeby in Leicestershire will welcome the church to the Trust and celebrate the completion of conservation work on the Grade I listed church, which has been carried out by The Churches Conservation Trust in partnership with Historic England at a cost of more than £450,000. The event will also mark Grade II* listed St Botolph’s at Wardley in Rutland coming into our care, and feature information about this charming church.
St Mary’s dates from the early 14th century, with a 15th century clerestory and tower. A new north aisle roof was installed in 1841, and the church was restored in 1893-4. The church is also home to a maternity roost for Natterer’s bats and conservation works have had to take these precious creatures into consideration. In the 1980s the church was considered for closure, and it was closed in 2001, on safety grounds due to structural movement and cracking. Following completion of conservation works, the church will now be available for community events and visits.
Fifteen miles away to the south, St Botolph’s at Wardley is known for its south doorway – dating from c. 1175 – and its early 13th century nave and 14th century tower. Conservation works will take place at St Botolph’s over the next few months.
View the press release
