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Churches of the British Isles

Gallery: Churches of Rutland

by Peter Kessler, 3 April 2011

Rutland Part 1: Churches of Normanton

St Matthew's Church, Normanton, Rutland Water, Rutland

St Matthew's Church sits on a man-made raised islet on the south-eastern shore of Rutland Water, close to Normanton Park Road in Normanton, near Edith Weston. The first church on the site was built in the late fourteenth century by the Normanville family, from whom the present day village of Normanton takes its name. In 1764 the original nave and chancel were demolished and rebuilt by the Heathcote family. By 1826 the church tower had become unsafe.

St Matthew's Church, Normanton, Rutland Water, Rutland

A new tower, modelled on St John's in Westminster, was built in 1826-1829. In 1911, nave and chancel were rebuilt for a second time as a memorial to the first earl of Ancaster. After 1918, the Normanton Estate was broken up and sold. The hall was demolished but the church remained. In 1970 the 'Empingham Reservoir Act' was passed and the church was deconsecrated. The next year the churchyard was cleared and the church bolstered to protect it from flood waters.

All photos on this page kindly contributed by Ken Hawley.

 

 

     
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