St. Mary, Leighton Bromswold, Huntingdonshire

Description

The church of St. Mary is an ancient cruciform edifice of stone in the Early English and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, transepts, porches and an embattled western tower in the Classic style, surmounted by four pinnacles and containing a clock and 5 bells, rehung about 1901: the church was thoroughly restored by George Herbert, the poet preacher, upon his becoming patron of the living in 1626: the restoration was carried out under the supervision of the Ferrars, of Little Gidding and completed shortly after Herbert's death: there is a double piscina and a shelved locker in the chancel and a piscina and locker in the south transept: the lead spout heads are of singular design, and bear the date 1632: in the north transept is an altar tomb of white marble, with recumbent effigies, to Sir Robert Tyrwhitt kt. and his wife, who was governess to Queen Elizabeth and one of the maids of honour to Queen Catherine Parr; adjoining this is a similar tomb with the effigy of a daughter of the aforesaid Sir Robert Tyrwhitt: the church was restored in the year 1870 by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the parishioners, at a cost of £2,000: there are 300 sittings.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1653.