The church at the edge of the village
St Mary the Virgin, Coleorton
As you drive away from Coleorton on the A512 towards J13 on the A42 and Ashby you pass a small sign pointing to the right declaring “Church only”. Hardly anything to see from the road, especially at 40mph in your car, but one day slow down and carefully turn onto the short road which used to be part of the old Ashby Road before the new A512 Coleorton by-pass was built in the early 1990s.
It seems strange that St Mary’s church is right at the edge of Coleorton, but at one time this area called Church Town was at the centre of Coleorton. There was the Hall and close by a number of coal mines that for many decades brought work and prosperity and there were many cottages no longer standing.
Park up and go through the wrought iron gates and under the lych-gate, look up and you will be greeted with the sight of an architectural beauty which is St Mary’s Church, with it’s imposing tower and graceful spire and clock which is now permanently at a quarter to five. Parts of the crenellated tower are thought to be from the original church built before 1200.
As with all old buildings 800 year plus, there have been many changes. During the English Civil war of the 1640s Coleorton was taken by Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians; being on a hill it was a prime location to bombard the Royalist stronghold at Ashby Castle. Both Coleorton Hall and the church suffered horribly; the roof of St Mary’s was stripped for ammunition and the stonework and windows plundered. The Hall was completely destroyed apart from one tower, part of fortifications installed by Sapcote Beaumont.
The current church is largely in Victorian gothic style with repairs, additions, and refurbishments by the Beaumont family, whose home at Coleorton Hall is right next door to the north and who, back then, were the “Lords of the manor” responsible for the church and management of Coleorton parish affairs. Also local members of the congregation contributed to the upkeep and funded memorials such as windows, porch, clock, bells.
During the last year the church roof has been repaired, gutters cleared and new carpet laid, and recently new lighting has been installed (which the rector Revd Sue Field and team welcome to see what they are reading!) and has highlighted the ceilings, with bright paintwork picking out the curved arched roof.
The walk up the rather steep path to the church south door is well worth the effort. (There is a seat half way up dedicated to Olive Mary Mills (1922-2005) if you need a rest!). The church is locked when there is no service taking place, but there are two open days hosted jointly by St Mary’s congregation and Coleorton Heritage Group on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th June when you are welcome to come in wander round, enjoy the beautiful interior and see displays about the church and village history and current activities.
A service is held at St Mary's 10.30 am on the third Sunday of each month
Sandra Dillon
member of the Coleorton Heritage Group
June 2025