St. Andrew, Stoke Dry, Rutland

Description

The church of St. Andrew is a building of stone, originally Norman, but altered in the Early English period, and almost entirely rebuilt early in the 14th century; it consists of chancel, nave, aisles, a small chapel on the south side, north and south porches, and an embattled western tower, containing one bell: the north porch has over it a parvise chamber with mullioned window: in the church are numerous monuments, chiefly of the Digby family, including one with recumbent figures to Sir Kenelm Digby kt. M.P. ob. 1590, and Anne (Cope) his wife: there is also a fine incised alabaster slab to Jaqueta (Ellys), wife of Sir Edward Digby kt. M.P. ob. 1496, a monument to Richard and Anne Digby, and a large sculptured monument of freestone, with the recumbent effigy of a knight in armour, the inscription being now entirely obliterated: on the walls of the chantry chapel, south of the chancel, are remains of rude paintings: in 1898 the church was restored, the roofs generally repaired and other works carried out, at a cost of over £720 ; during the restoration some interesting paintings were discovered on the north and south walls of the nave: the church affords 70 sittings.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1562.