The Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The church dates from the thirteenth century and is dedicated to St. James the Apostle. It has been much altered by restorations, particularly to the chancel in 1886 (by the architect, Ewan Christian, for the Ecclesiastical Commissioners) and to the rest of the building in 1890.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dadlington Chapel in 1791, engraved by John Pridden

However, parts of the original fabric survive, and its basic plan has remained unchanged. A 13th century arcade separates the chancel from the south chapel, and there is a double sedilia (clergy seats) and a piscina (wash basin) of the same date in the sanctuary. Internally, the open rustic timber roof structure is also a medieval survival. A portion of late Norman 'dog-tooth' carving discovered during a restoration has been worked in over the exterior east window.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The church's most precious possession is a silver Elizabethan chalice (now in bank custody). The church registers date back to 1734, although there are bishop's transcripts (at the county record office) beginning in 1571.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The little red-tiled bell-turret, until 1890 constructed of shingles, houses two ancient and somewhat unharmonious bells. From the north side of the churchyard is a fine view over the Redemore, which initially provided an alternative name for the battle of Bosworth. Inside the church may be found photographic copies and transcripts of documents relating to the battlefield chantry founded by Henry VIII in 1511.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dadlington is a parish within the diocese of Leicester and deanery of Sparkenhoe, sharing its priest with neighbouring Stoke Golding, Higham-on-the-Hill, Witherley and Fenny Drayton. There is a loyal congregation, and the Eucharist is celebrated every Sunday and on Holy Days. The Book of Common Prayer (1662) continues to be used here.

 

 

 

 

Above: The Bishop of Leicester and Fr Chris Gash (priest-in-charge until 2001)

 

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