St Mary the Virgin
Leighton Bromswold , Cambridgeshire
Delightful church containing one of the most original sets of Jacobean furniture in the country and is almost unique in having two pulpits.
All Saints church shows evidence of some late 11th century stonework, but what can be seen today is mainly of 14th century and later construction.
There are some interesting monuments, including the tomb John Kippax Archdeacon of Sodor & Man, father of Revd John Kippax the younger whose memorial can also be seen close to the altar. The Revd Charles Favell’s lovely monument shows he was married to Anne Wordsworth, first cousin to the poet William Wordsworth.
The font apparently dates from the 1200s. The bells were restored in the 1990s and are regularly rung. Two ancient 'scratch' or 'mass' dials on the exterior can be found by the eagle eyed visitor. The Victorian restorers left the date of their work cleverly concealed in the decorative stonework in the roof to the north of the altar. There is a small decorative piscina with Purbeck marble columns. Inside the bell chamber there is what appears to be a stone bearing Knights Templar graffiti, possibly reused or relocated during building or old restoration works.
The list of rectors goes back to the 13th century.
There is a lovely view out across countryside and fields from the churchyard.