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St Leonard

Barrow

Shropshire

DATES OF MAIN PHASES, NAME OF ARCHITECT: C12 church of 2 phases, of which the tower is the later.

Architectural Features

MATERIALS: Local rubble sandstone, except for squared blocks in the rebuilt east chancel wall, with freestone dressings, tile roofs.

EXTERIOR: A Norman church retaining much of its original character and without later extension.

The Norman south doorway, possibly repositioned when the tower was built, has simple imposts and a tympanum made up of bands of chevrons.

The 2-stage Norman tower has pilaster buttresses in the lower stage, and a battered plinth.

The chancel has 2 small Norman windows in the chancel south and north walls The 3 round-headed windows under a linked hood mould in the east wall are of 1858.

There are C19 tile floors throughout, with encaustic tiles in the sanctuary by Maw & Co.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: The round Norman tub font, similar to Morville and influenced by the Herefordshire school, has cable-moulding around the rim, and medallions which, on the north side, emerge from the mouths of demonic masks.

The polygonal wooden pulpit, brought from Monkhopton in 1948, has an open arcaded front.

The chancel has a panelled dado made up in 1858 from former pews, and altar triptych of cross and angels painted on board, by Harry Burrows, c1870.

There is a hatchment of Richard Lacon in the north nave wall.

HISTORY: Linley church was built in the C12 as a chapel of Much Wenlock.

A tower was added in the late C12.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The church of St Leonard, Linley, is listed at Grade I for the following principal reasons: * It is a near-complete C12 church, including a fine tower, with comparatively little later alteration. * It retains Norman architectural features of importance, including two tympana and the tower arch. * It has fixtures of very special interest, especially the important Norman font