The parish church of St Dionysius, begun around 1300 as a chapelry of Great Bowden, was planned to be very much part of the townscape, with a central position in its own square, opening out directly onto the street with no space for a churchyard. It was intended to be sight worthy of its setting, and few would deny the success of this scheme. Its fine tower and broach spire rising to 154 feet dominate the landscape and have done so for 700 years.*
[St Dionysius] Parish Church originally built as a Chapel of St Mary in Arden (qv) during the earlier part of the C13. Architectural features of present church mainly C14 and C15. The town is dominated by the early C14 grey ashlar tower with its fine crocketed brooch spire. Rest of church in coursed sandstone rubble with crenellated parapet. Buttresses. Nave and Chancel with Clerestory windows, Aisles and North and South Porches. Crocketed cross as finial at east end of both Nave and Chancel. South face of tower has large sundial. Inside, galleries of 1836 remain. Fine achievement of Royal Arms of 1660 at West end. Good C15 timber roof was restored, in same style, in 1954. Fragments of medieval wall painting discovered in 1959 at east end of North Aisle. The Church of St Dionysius is a prominent feature of many near and distant views of the town.
*Market Harborough Parish Church – St Dyonisus A Brief History by Geoffrey K. Brandwood and David Johnson.
Looks to be a very interesting Church, Cherie. I like the sundial. Do you have a close-up of the Royal Coat of Arms?
It is an interesting church. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photograph of the Coat of Arms.
the stained glass work is suitably impressive, CP.
Yes, the glasswork is beautiful
Improve the time…. wonderful sundial. That church is so wonderful I love the stained glass and all the wood.
I really like the sundial too, it made me smile
“Improve the time” is an interesting expression; not heard of that before. More often “Improve with time”.
It is an unusual phrase, it captured my imagination.
I prefer Improve “with no” Time.
Just take it easy.
I’ve said it before but I just love your church interior photography and the precision with which you do it.
Thanks J
I always set the camera to landscape photography mode for the shots and I don’t use a tripod.