St Leonard's Church, Downham, Gothic parish church in Downham, England
St Leonard's Church is a Gothic parish church in Downham with a distinctive west tower built from sandstone and topped with a slate roof. The structure is constructed from rubble and slate, and features windows with perpendicular tracery detailing.
The tower of St Leonard's Church dates to the 15th century, while the main body was substantially rebuilt between 1909 and 1910. This renovation preserved the Gothic character while updating the interior for modern use.
The church holds several monuments honoring the Assheton family, including a sculpture by Richard Westmacott made for Frances Arabella Assheton in 1835. These memorials show how deeply this family was connected to the place over time.
The church is easily visible from outside and accessible through a clear main entrance near the west tower. Visitors should plan their visit around regular service times when the interior is open for prayer and viewing.
An octagonal sandstone font from the 16th century features shields carved with the Legs of Man symbol and a chevron with fleur-de-lis design. This rare combination of heraldic symbols hints at the place's connections and history.
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