St. Leonard, Sunningwell, Berkshire

Description

The church of St. Leonard is a building of stone, consisting of chancel, nave, west porch and an embattled tower with four pinnacles and containing 5 bells: the semi-octagonal porch, an addition in the Elizabethan style, was erected by John Jewel D.D. who was rector here about 1551, and Bishop of Salisbury 1559-71; his famous "Apology for the Church of England" and "Defence of the Apology," copies of which were placed in many English churches for the common use of the parishioners, are still to be found in some Berkshire churches. There is also a monument to Hannibal Baskerville esq. who died in 1688; and other memorials to the learned Dr. Samuel Fell, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1638, and formerly rector of this parish, who is said to have died of grief 1st February, 1549, on hearing of the execution of Charles I.; and to Margaret his wife, who survived him: the handsome communion table was given by Bishop Jewel: the church was restored by subscription in 1877 at a cost of £1,200, and has 165 sittings; the porch was restored in 1902 at a cost of £150.

Church Records

The register dates from the year 1543.