St Mary's, Stoughton
The church of St Mary at Stoughton is a handsome building standing on high ground in a rural setting a short distance to the east of Leicester's-outer suburbia. At first sight it appears to be a largely 14th century building thanks to the fine tower and crocketed spire that dominate the view and date from this period, however the rest of the building beyond the tower was mostly rebuilt in 1862, though it appears the north aisle with its large windows is original medieval work. The slender shaft of the 14th century churchyard cross still stands amidst the trees opposite the south porch.
After the disappointment of the previous church this one looked much more hopeful with the porch door ajar invitingly, however this turned out to be the only part of the church that was open, the inner doors being firmly locked and the ride & stride form (with quite a few signatures already) left here so that no one had to venture in any further (not the last time I'd see this arrangement but happily in most other cases the doors beyond yielded). I had to make do with peering through the plain-glazed windows (which at least enabled some decent internal views and a glimpse of the mid-16th century Farnham-tomb in the north aisle).
With a second disappointment and two churches that the published listed suggested would be 'open' and weren't I was wondering if I'd made a mistake coming out and I'd find them all this way, contemplating giving up if I came up against yet more locked doors! Thankfully my perseverance paid off before long.
St Mary's, Stoughton
The church of St Mary at Stoughton is a handsome building standing on high ground in a rural setting a short distance to the east of Leicester's-outer suburbia. At first sight it appears to be a largely 14th century building thanks to the fine tower and crocketed spire that dominate the view and date from this period, however the rest of the building beyond the tower was mostly rebuilt in 1862, though it appears the north aisle with its large windows is original medieval work. The slender shaft of the 14th century churchyard cross still stands amidst the trees opposite the south porch.
After the disappointment of the previous church this one looked much more hopeful with the porch door ajar invitingly, however this turned out to be the only part of the church that was open, the inner doors being firmly locked and the ride & stride form (with quite a few signatures already) left here so that no one had to venture in any further (not the last time I'd see this arrangement but happily in most other cases the doors beyond yielded). I had to make do with peering through the plain-glazed windows (which at least enabled some decent internal views and a glimpse of the mid-16th century Farnham-tomb in the north aisle).
With a second disappointment and two churches that the published listed suggested would be 'open' and weren't I was wondering if I'd made a mistake coming out and I'd find them all this way, contemplating giving up if I came up against yet more locked doors! Thankfully my perseverance paid off before long.