St Mary Magdalene's Church, Stapleford

St Mary Magdalene's Church is a Gothic Revival church featuring a three-stage tower ornamented with string courses and Romanesque carvings. The structure is built entirely of limestone ashlar and houses a marble altar decorated with inlaid Blue John mineral work.

The building was constructed in 1783 by architect George Richardson for Robert Sherard, 4th Earl of Harborough, replacing an earlier medieval church on the site. A marble altar featuring Blue John inserts was added by Richard Brown of Derby in 1795.

The interior displays memorial tablets for generations of local families. These brass plaques and stone inscriptions tell the story of people connected to this place across centuries.

The church is maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust and sits within the Stapleford Park estate. Visitors should note that the building is used for weddings and religious services, so opening times may vary depending on scheduled events.

The marble altar was crafted specifically with Blue John, a rare mineral form of fluorspar sourced from nearby quarries. This use of scarce local materials demonstrates the patron's wealth and sophisticated taste.

Location: Freeby

Inception: 1783

Architects: George Richardson

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Website: http://visitchurches.org.uk/Ourchurches/Completelistofchurches/Church-of-St-Mary-Magdelene-Stapleford-Leicestershire

GPS coordinates: 52.75530,-0.79870

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:09