St Leonard's Church (Churches Conservation Trust), Bridgnorth, Shropshire

Details

Accessibility

"Time limited parking available within Church Close, alternative long stay parking available within the town. Sloping paved path to main door. Steps up to chancel and altar.

Wheelchair access is possible along a stone path through the churchyard, but there are cobbles outside the main door and a step up to the choir and altar.

Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a small number have heating, running water or toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor."

Brief description

"A vast church with an explosive history

The proud red Gothic tower of St Leonard's dominates Bridgnorth's skyline. Surrounding it is an oval of charming houses, almost like a cathedral close. Inside, the church has the airy vastness of a cathedral - the size is breathtaking.

The width of the nave and aisles together is not much less than that of St Paul's Cathedral in London and as you walk in from the door under the tower you get an extraordinary sense of space being slowly revealed. Seemingly medieval, it is in fact almost entirely a Victorian restoration. This is because disaster struck during the Civil War when St Leonard's was used by Cromwell's troops as an ammunition store. A cannon shot caused it to explode, and fire swept through the town. The church was repaired, and in the seventeenth-century, the magnificent nave roof was installed.

Most of the current church dates from the nineteenth century building campaign under the Revd George Bellett, whose monument is in the church. The interior is beautiful - look out for the umbrella stands on the pews. All the woodwork, stained glass, tiles and stonework inside are of exceptionally high quality and there are a number of interesting memorials to well-known townspeople over the centuries. The most unusual are the four cast-iron monuments dating from 1692 to 1707, probably made at Richard Knight's ironworks nearby."

Address

St Leonard's Close, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 4EJ

Email

supporters@thecct.org.uk

Phone

0845 303 2760    Monday - Friday      9.00am-5.00pm

Website

https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/st-leonard-bridgnorth.html

Directions

Centre of Bridgnorth High Town, via High Street, Church street and St Leonard's Close.

Opening Times

2021: St Leonard's is currently open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am until 3pm. The church is opened on these days by our team of volunteers subject to their availability

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

Nearest railway stations: Telford (10 miles), Wolverhampton (14 miles) and Bridgnorth Severn Valley Railway. Bus routes via Arriva buses.

Amenities

Local amenities in Bridgenorth