The building
Our History
With 800 Years of history to draw on, an entry on a website can be no more
than just an insight to St. Leonard's at Southminster, Essex. We hope that you enjoy your virtual visit and feel moved to pay an actual visit.
You will find a list of the clergy from the early years of the church's history on the South Wall.
(If you would like a pdf file of our new church guide
click here)
Rev. Alexander Scott
If you should stand just about level with the front chairs, you can observe the enlargement of the church by Alexander Scott. It was the same Rev. Alexander Scott who, whilst chaplain on the Flagship 'Victory', at the Battle of Trafalgar, held Admiral Nelson in his arms the day he died, 21st October 1805. As a consequence of Scott's incumbency here, we have a number of items entitled, 'The Nelson Relics'. Although the history of the items is rather vague, they have nonetheless, over the years created a certain amount of interest. They consist of the large library table and bureau bookcase at the back of the church, which can be viewed easily enough. There is also a picture depicting Nelson's last moments. The other items, a cast iron box fireplace and gilt framed mirror are located in the Vicar's vestry. These are not generally on view. The work on the church building undertaken by Rev. Alexander Scott was completed by 1819 and is commemorated on the large board mounted on the North nave wall. The roof had been raised and the transepts, chancel and sanctuary built. But the interior was not as it is now. The floor from the front of the chairs eastwards was all on one level. There were no choir stalls or rood screen. These came later.
Rev. William Henry Lowder
The incumbent from 1891 - 1901, Rev. William Henry Lowder, was responsible for the present arrangement. He is commemorated by a marble plaque on the North wall of the nave. The screen and pulpit, and possibly some other parts of the carved woodwork are thought to be some of his own work.
North Porch & Doorway
The main entrance to the Church is through the massive North entrance porch and doorway. This area of the church is about 550 years old and is of special interest. Above the 15th century porch is the 'Parvis' room. The first Recorded Vicar of Southminster was Thomas le Brett in 1333.
The South Door - the Norman influence
Directly opposite the entrance doorway, is the Round Headed Norman doorway (the door is modern) set into the South wall. The South door dates from about 1150 and is one of the oldest parts of the church building. Etched into the brickwork surround are two Consecration Crosses. You will also discover some Roman tiles set into the doorway. There is no local stone in this part of Essex so whatever building material was close at hand, served these early builders. There are two partially stained glass windows either side of the Nave. Their border designs contain fragments of glass. These random fragments are from the original 19th century glass used in the East Windows. The original windows were destroyed when the church was damaged by a German bomb in 1940.
St. Leonard's Bells
The Bells of St. Leonard's Church have been silent for almost a quarter of a century. They have been the subject of quite a lot of attention over the last few years, which coupled with an ambitious restoration plan for the Tower, it is hoped they will ring out again, to the Glory of God.
The Tower, presently contains eight bells, but it has not always been so. In 1552 there were three bells and a sanctus bell, of which only the un-inscribed 4th bell remains today. By the shape of the bell it is thought to date from about 1380 which would predate the existing tower.
A James Bartlet of the Whitechapel Bellfoundry recast the clock bell and the present seventh bell in 1684. Thomas Lester of the same Foundry cast or recast the 5th (recast in 1914), 7th and tenor bells in 1749. In 1784 William Mears of Whitechapel cast a new treble bell to make 6 (recast in 1966). In 1914 Mears and Stainbank re-hung the bells in a new oak framework with entirely new fittings and recast the 5th bell.
In 1966 two more bells were added to make the eight and the third bell was recast. A new steel section was added to incorporate the two new bells and the 1914 frame was reused. The old frame was found to be in excellent condition after more than 50 years of service.
The bells became silent in the 1970's, but have now been reinstated.
Relevant Dates for the Southminster Bells
Treble installed in the tower 1966
2nd. installed in the tower 1966
3rd. Recast 1966
4th. installed in the tower 1380
5th. installed in the tower 1914
6th. installed in the tower 1749
7th. installed in the tower 1684
Tenor installed in the tower 1749
Clock Bell installed in the tower 1684
The Organ & Choir Stalls
Just the other side of the screen in the Chancel area are the choir stalls, a reminder perhaps of the days when the church choir would have featured greatly in the music of the services. Even here is something to draw your attention to, the 'poppy head' pew ends. The majority were made in the 19th century, but among them are a couple that are much older. Those on the East end of the front choir pews date from the 15th century, again over 500 years old. There is a unique seat among the pews also, and something of a rarity. As you face the organ the extreme left hand seat in the back row is a misericord. It has been suggested that this type of seat enabled the head chorister to recline whilst giving the appearance of standing. What ever its purpose, this is an extremely fine example.
The organ in St. Leonard's church is undoubtedly the finest organ of its type for miles around. The organ is in need of some repair to restore it to its finest condition. It is used every week during services, though much of the worship is now led by a small instrumental/singing group from the front of the Nave.
The Reredos
On the East wall is the Reredos which incorporates a rather elaborate stone sedilia of 13 arcades. The illustrations of the Reredos are:- Top centre the Pascal Lamb, below this but uppermost of illustrations within the Reredos are the Virgin and Child, and St. Leonard. The twelve Apostles are in two rows below. The stone figures are of St. Cedd (left), who first brought the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ to the East Saxons; and of St. Alban, martyr (right). Southminster was in the Diocese of St. Albans during the nineteenth century and until 1914.
Under the sill below the reredos are the symbols of the Passion of Christ. Left to right: 30 pieces of silver; the 5 stigmata, i.e. wounds in heart, hands and feet; the instruments of the crucifixion-scourge, ladder, sponge on reed, spear, hammer and pincers; and the crown of thorns. The structure must certainly have impressed the church authorities of the day, for when it was installed, to make room for the sedilia and the raised floor level, the East windows had to be raised! Directly in front of the Reredos on a raised step is the Altar Table. In itself the table is nothing more than of solid oak construction. The frontals however, are particularly grand. The dating of these items has been difficult. An educated estimate has suggested around 150 years old. There are a complete set of colours to match the church year. The Handiwork of the craftsmen is of the highest order.
The East Windows
The present East windows, beautiful as they are, are not the originals. They replace those destroyed by enemy action in 1940.
