St Michael & All Angels
Appleby Magna, Leicestershire
With its stone tower and spire, and windows of the Decorated period, from the outside Appleby Magna looks every inch a medieval church, which is what it is, and an excellent example of its kind.
Acresford is a small hamlet in North West Leicestershire approximately 8 miles from Burton and 5 miles from Ashby. For years it was centred round a brewery and then a mill which has now disappeared. The only reminder of this past are the old brewery stores and maltings in which the church and schoolroom are located in Brookfield Cottages together with the remainder of the row converted by William Cooper into dwellings when he bought and turned the disused brewery into a mill.
The church and school room retain the upper windows of the old stores and maltings. However interesting the heritage and uniqueness of the church are, it well worth visiting just to experience the tranquillity, atmosphere and exquisite charm of the interior which is small and intimate. At the front is a pipe organ from Gopsall Hall acquired in 1915 still in use today, a beautifully carved mahogany pulpit and a fine communion table.
On the outside above the entrance the inscription 'God’s House' emphasises that in the row of houses this one is different and special. Etched in 1920 on the exterior of the entrance is a plaque remembering not only the fallen of the First World War but also celebrating the peace which followed it.
A visit to the church can be combined with a lovely walk along the path through the wooded glades by the babbling Hooborough Brook or a visit to nearby St Michaels at Stretton en le field described as an uncommon survival of a medieval church where time has stood still.