St Mary's Church, Lutterworth
| St Mary’s Church, Lutterworth | |
|---|---|
 View of the east end | |
 | |
| Location | Lutterworth, Leicestershire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Catholic Church |
| Website | https://www.lutterworthchurch.org/ |
| History | |
| Status | Church of England parish church |
| Dedication | Mary the Virgin |
| Consecrated | 13th cent |
| Architecture | |
| Style | English Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Leicester |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Loughborough |
| Deanery | Guthlaxton |
| Parish | Lutterworth |
St Mary's Church is the ancient parish church of the town of Lutterworth, Leicestershire. It is a Grade I listed building[1] and is a member of the Major Churches Network[2]
History
[edit]The church building is 13th-century, with 14th- and 15th-century alterations. The church contains some surviving 15th-century wall paintings with the Lutterworth Doom appearing over the chancel arch and a depiction of the Three Living and the Three dead.[3]
The spire on the church was blown down in 1703 and rebuilt in 1761. Sir George Gilbert Scott restored the building in 1866–1869.[4]
The Irish statesman Robert le Poer was parish priest here c.1318.
Wycliffe
[edit]
The translator John Wycliffe was rector of the church between 1374 and 1384.[1] It was in the Lutterworth rectory that he is traditionally believed to have produced the first translation of the Bible from Latin into English (see Wycliffe's Bible).[6] His translation of the Bible into English started the Lollard movement.[4]
The Lutterworth Wall Paintings
[edit]In spite of the significance of the church for early English Protestantism the church is home to a remarkable set of surviving pre-reformation murals. Painted during the 15th century (1400s) they consist of a large Doom over the chancel arch, with figures rising out of tombs and large seated Christ in majesty surrounded by angels, and a remarkably fine example of the Three Living and the Three Dead around the north aisle door. The paintings were uncovered and restored by Eve Baker in the 1980s.
-
Interior of the nave, showing the Doom over the chancel arch -
Close up of the Doom -
The Three Living
References
[edit]- ^ a b Historic England. "Church of St Mary (1211040)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- ^ "St Mary's, Lutterworth – Greater Churches". greaterchurches.org. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ AA Illustrated Guide to Britain. Drive Publications Limited. 1972. p. 183.
- ^ a b "Lutterworth Church of St Mary". Leicestershire and Rutland Churches. 12 August 2018.
- ^ Stone, Larry (11 December 2012). The Story of the Bible: The Fascinating History of Its Writing, Translation and Effect on Civilization. Thomas Nelson. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-59555-433-8.
- ^ "John Wycliffe: religious rebel and Bible translator". Harborough Museum. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
See also
[edit]- Grade I listed buildings in Leicestershire
- The Coventry Doom Painting
- The Pickering Wall Paintings
- The Raunds Wall Paintings
- The Slapton Wall Paintings
External links
[edit]