A FRESH drive has been launched to revive interest in an ancient church, which is now just a shadow of its former glory.

St Leonard-at-the-Hythe, on Hythe Hill, Colchester, has been rarely used since it was made redundant as a place of regular worship in 1984.

Although it was taken over by the Churches Conservation Trust, in 1987, and has been maintained by voluntary committees ever since, it has never been used to its full potential.

Now historian Alice Goss, who created a heritage board at the 12th century church, is now determined to put it on the map and highlight its heritage, alongside a new committee.

She said: “We hope by putting St Leonard’s history on the map and advertising the church, we’ll encourage people to visit and take more of an interest in this building.”

She added; “It’s quite unique in terms of its history.

“July 14 was a very interesting day for Colchester because of the three-month siege.

“Around 60 soldiers and their horses were held up inside the church - it was the last royalist stronghold outside of the town’s walls.

“On that day in 1648 Parliamentarians surrounded the church and opened fire. There’s still evidence of cannon and musket ball strikes surrounding the main door and porch area.”

The current Friends of St Leonard’s are hoping to make the church more accessible by holding music events, art exhibitions and church services around St Leonard’s Day, on November 6, and Christmas.

But more volunteers are needed to extend the church’s open hours throughout the week.

Alice said: “St Leonard’s is such an exciting church, there’s so much potential and it’s just delightful inside.

“It has some of the best stained glass windows of any church in Essex depicting all of the saints, along with a hammer beam roof and rood screen, and many other unique features.

“People may also not realise the church is still consecrated.”

As part of nationwide Heritage Open Days, the church will host its last concert of the year on Saturday, September 10, at 3pm.

It will feature a performance by Sophie-Anne Chaplin, followed by refreshments at the Hythe Community Centre.

She added: “We’d hope as many people could attend as possible.”

To become a Friend of St Leonard, visit www.stleonard-at-the-hythe.org.uk.

Gazette:

A brief history of St Leonard-at-the-Hythe:

  • 1150: Maurice de Haie gave the advowson (the income) from the church to St John’s Abbey
  • 1227: Nicholas, the first recorded rector was appointed by St John’s Abbey
  • 1335: Both the north aisle and the nave were added around this time
  • 1482: The north and south chapels were constructed
  • 1500: The Clerestory and hammer beam roof were constructed
  • 1530: The Rood stair was built in the north chapel
  • 1648: During the siege of Colchester, royalist soldiers inside the church were attacked by Parliamentarians
  • 1851: On Census Sunday, at the end of March, the parish population was recorded as 1,295 with a congregation of 120 attending the morning service and 200 in the afternoon service
  • 1884: On April 22, an earthquake caused damage to the top of the tower, which was not repaired until 1889
  • 1984: St Leonard’s became redundant
  • 1987: The church becomes under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust