St Denys, Ravensthorpe

The current church building is believed to be around 800 years old, and is constructed largely from local Northamptonshire brown ironstone. It is believed that a church building (albeit possibly not any part of the present one) has existed on the site since the time of William the Conqueror. The church is of a standard design/layout for its age, including a square clock/bell tower, a nave, north and south aisles, and chancel. Doors are found in both north and south aisles and also the chancel. The outside of the building includes a few interesting features, including an early “sundial” on a buttress adjacent to the porch on the south door, and an interesting memorial inscription on a stone on the north wall of the chancel. 

Inside there is a great chest, which stands in the place which was originally the altar of the lady chapel. The age and origin is uncertain, but it is thought to be 4-500 years old, and is estimated to weigh ¾ of a ton. The stained glass window in the chancel was designed and installed in the 1930s by Christopher Webb, and shows Christ in Glory, St Denys, Genevieve, and various shields and coats of arms. The pulpit dates from the Jacobean era and was given by John Breton of Teeton in 1619, whilst the lectern was purchased by the church in 1867, and depicts a wooden carved eagle.

The churchyard is relatively extensive, and remains “open”, and includes an area (adjacent to the village allotments) added more recently, currently in use for burial. More detail can be found in the church history leaflet available in the church, or from one of the Churchwardens.