St Leonard's
Ipstones
A History of St Leonard's
Nothing is known of the early Church in Ipstones, except that a church existed on the site for many years. It is more probable that a Saxon church may have stood there as the Tympanum found on the south wall of the church may be Saxon in origin and is the only remnant now to be found of such a foundation.
It is possible that before 1450, Ipstones church may have been a chapel of ease to Leek Parish. There seems to be some possibility that from 1450 to the dissolution of the monasteries (1539) Ipstones was serviced by clergy from Dieulacres Abbey. One record says that it was a chapel connected with Leek parish in 1553.
In 1787 the building had fallen into a very dilapidated condition, so much so that it was necessary for the greater part of it to be taken down and rebuilt. It is somewhat curious that a bell was cast in 1779 and hung in the tower complete with full circle ringing fittings. The rebuilding was completed by 1790 and consisted of the present Nave and Tower. The nave contained balconies and the pulpit was centrally placed, surrounded by three blocks of box pews. The Altar and chancel were small and relatively insignificant reflecting the theological outlook of the time. The vestry was in the base of the tower where the equivalent of the modern Parish Council met.
The next recorded restoration took place in 1877. It is possible that the galleries were removed and the South porch added.
In 1902 the present chancel was built; comprising chancel, vestry, and Organ area, mainly paid for by the then Vicar, Rev R H Goodacre Jnr as a memorial to his father who had been the previous Vicar. In 1923 the oak screen was erected, paid for by public subscription.
For the Millennium, the kitchen area was provided in the tower base and the Vestry was enclosed. 2010 saw the completion of the much needed toilet attached to the north side of the tower. In 2017 a peal of six bells was installed in the Belfry comprising four redundant bells from Christ Church, Walcot, Bath, and the 1779 bell was recast into two bells. The bell frame was built locally and the whole installed by local labour. The graveyard closed many years ago, we now have a cemetery opposite the Church in the care of the Parish council.
St Bartholomew's Butterton
There has been a church on the present site since its foundation in 1254. Parish Registers date from 1746. Various rebuilds have taken place over the years. The present building dates back to 1871. The building programme lasted two years. The east window and the spire were added a few years later as gifts in memory of a local family. The church is grade II listed.
St Bartholomew's was transferred to the Benefice of Ipstones with Berkhamsytch and Onecote-cum-Bradnop in June 2018. Prior to this date it was part of the Alstonefield Benefice.
In 2018 our bells project came to fruition with the Bishop of Stafford attending to hallow our 6 bells (3 of which are original) prior to them being hoisted up into the tower. This was enabled by a significant amount of fundraising and a successful Heritage Lottery bid.
Butterton is a Doubly Thankful Village; so named because all of our serving personnel returned from both World Wars.
We are one of only 23 Doubly Thankful Villages in the country.
St Luke's Onecote
About Our Building
One of the major beauties of our beloved church are the stained glass windows. They were installed into the church in 1973, coming from the vicarage when it was sold off. These wonderful pieces are of the Burne Jones/William Morris school and were very likely to have been made by them as the lady featured in two of them is the wife of Daniel Rosetti who often modelled for Morris. These windows are a delight and compliment the overall simplicity of this church.
Beginning at the entrance to the church a clockwise walk around first brings to your attention a large painting of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments with Aaron and Joshua; dated 1755. The World War One memorial not only gives the names of those who died but also the 49 others who served.
The Chancel itself has a set of three windows showing, men ploughing, reaping and sowing. Also from the Vicarage. Two other features to mention inside the church are the marble font with ornate carved cover at the rear of the church, inscribed “ye must be born again” and the balcony which, since 1907, has housed the organ.
The tower, housing one bell, was the major part of the 1836/7 work in which many of the parishioners had a hand either carting stone and other materials from nearby Ipstones Common and Morridge or labouring.
St Mary & St John
Berkhamsytch
A Church built within a year! Mr George Mycock, a local farmer promised a quarter of an acre beside the main road in 1906, as a site of a Mission Church. Two months later – parishioners and friends had given or promised £83. 15. 0, and the building of the church had begun. By September it was reported that the church walls were complete and the roof nearly complete. Many people had promised various articles such as Altar, linen, seat, candlesticks, lamps and so on. On 19th October 1907 the Bishop of Lichfield, in the presence of a full church (many having to stand outside), dedicated the Mission Church to St Mary and St John.
