Overton, Market

Some of the installations of the former RAF Cottesmore can be seen in the distance.

Looking towards Market Overton.

A fragment of carved stone, in the Saxon manner, in the base of the tower of the church. The tower is said to be the oldest in Rutland, dating from the 13th C, but is on the site of an older church, as evinced by the well-known Saxon arch in the tower, and perhaps this stone.

The church consists of nave with aisles, west tower, chancel with attached vestry and organ loft, south aisle transept an south porch. The oldest remains reveal that a church has stood on the site since at least the beginning of the 11th century. The oldest part of the church, remaining from this period is the fine arch between the tower and the nave; there was clearly a tower at this stage, which would probably have included the entrance to the church. The church was largely rebuilt in the 13th century, with at least a south, and possibly also a north, aisle, and from this period the lower stages of the tower and the south aisle and porch survive, in early Decorated style. The church was further improved in the 14th century, in full Decorated style, when the current north aisle was built, together with the large south Aisle transept and the clerestory. The south aisle arcade was rebuilt at this stage so that the nave interior has a unified appearance. The south side clerestory windows show a variety of tracery in curvilinear style of the period. All the aisle windows are of this period. An external feature of this period is the small bellcote on the gable at the east end of the nave which would have held a Sanctus bell. The upper stage of the tower also dates from this period. The chancel with its extensions on the north side was completely rebuilt in 1861, at which time the south transept was restored. Most of the internal fittings are 19th century or later but there are a few older items of interest. The font is an interesting accretion, consisting of a bowl formed from a capital of Norman date joined via a 'modern' section to an inverted capital in Early English style. There is also a good selection of wall monuments, some quite ornate, in both chancel and aisles, dating from between 1700 and c.1920. There is also the clock mechanism constructed by Smiths of Derby in 1912. This was replaced as early as the 1930s, but this was damaged later and a modern mechanism installed in the 1980s. The south door dates from 1756 as shown on the small attached plaque. Also keeping time, as the sun allows, is a sundial on the south face of the tower, reputed to have been the gift of Sir Isaac Newton. The base of the tower incorporates some decorated Saxon stonework from a cross. The churchyard wall, of 19th century origin, incorporates a memorial lych gate of 1922 and a stile on the northern side which incorporates two Saxon balusters. The church is Listed Grade I, and is well described in the Victoria County History for the county Link

the half-round arch between the tower and the nave. Although the tower is said to be 13th century, this form is at least 200 years older and is of typical Saxon form. The church guide says it dates from the 10th or 11th century.

The clockface on the tower has no hands. This will be why - the mechanism is on display in the North Arcade of the nave. This is a tower clock made by John Smith and Sons, of the Midland Clock Works in Derby. I know this because the maintenance instructions are preserved with it. The company is still in business, and even has a website: Link

I adjusted this exposure to feature the colours of the glass on a bright sunny day.

Looking through the Chancel Arch and down the nave from the Altar towards the tower and the west window.

Stitched from eight images. This is a grade I listed church - see Link For the church's own website, see Link

A lot of Victoriana - a fine oak pulpit and lectern, and the organ.

The mouths of the principal flute pipes of the organ.

The church guide says "the font is a strange composite piece. The top is possibly the upper part of a late Norman capital, and the plain circular middle portion sits on an inverted Early English stiff-leaved capital". The church web site says "Worth noting are the very old (if badly sited) font..." (see Link )

A notice in the church tower, describing the ringing of 5040 changes on the 29th of June 1951. It is interesting to note that the bells were rung for the Patronal festival. The 29th of June commemorates the joint martyrdom of the two apostles. And yet St Paul is omitted from the header.

A list from 1996 of the five bells in the tower, made by the John Taylor bell foundry in Loughborough.

A commemoration of the ringing of the bells on January 1st 2000.

The church consists of nave with aisles, west tower, chancel with attached vestry and organ loft, south aisle transept an south porch. The oldest remains reveal that a church has stood on the site since at least the beginning of the 11th century. The oldest part of the church, remaining from this period is the fine arch between the tower and the nave; there was clearly a tower at this stage, which would probably have included the entrance to the church. The church was largely rebuilt in the 13th century, with at least a south, and possibly also a north, aisle, and from this period the lower stages of the tower and the south aisle and porch survive, in early Decorated style. The church was further improved in the 14th century, in full Decorated style, when the current north aisle was built, together with the large south Aisle transept and the clerestory. The south aisle arcade was rebuilt at this stage so that the nave interior has a unified appearance. The south side clerestory windows show a variety of tracery in curvilinear style of the period. All the aisle windows are of this period. An external feature of this period is the small bellcote on the gable at the east end of the nave which would have held a Sanctus bell. The upper stage of the tower also dates from this period. The chancel with its extensions on the north side was completely rebuilt in 1861, at which time the south transept was restored. Most of the internal fittings are 19th century or later but there are a few older items of interest. The font is an interesting accretion, consisting of a bowl formed from a capital of Norman date joined via a 'modern' section to an inverted capital in Early English style. There is also a good selection of wall monuments, some quite ornate, in both chancel and aisles, dating from between 1700 and c.1920. There is also the clock mechanism constructed by Smiths of Derby in 1912. This was replaced as early as the 1930s, but this was damaged later and a modern mechanism installed in the 1980s. The south door dates from 1756 as shown on the small attached plaque. Also keeping time, as the sun allows, is a sundial on the south face of the tower, reputed to have been the gift of Sir Isaac Newton. The base of the tower incorporates some decorated Saxon stonework from a cross. The churchyard wall, of 19th century origin, incorporates a memorial lych gate of 1922 and a stile on the northern side which incorporates two Saxon balusters. The church is Listed Grade I, and is well described in the Victoria County History for the county Link

The flat land of north Rutland contrasts with the more undulating areas in the south of the county.

A very small village, the first you come to in Rutland on the road from Wymondham to Oakham.