Rockingham: St Leonard

Name:
Rockingham: St Leonard
Record Type:
Church
Church code:
628243
Diocese:
Peterborough
Archdeaconry:
Oakham
Parish:
Rockingham

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?
This is a Grade II* Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?
There is a Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct
View more information about this Scheduled Monument on the National Heritage List for England web site

National Park

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

The church is in the following Conservation Area: Rockingham

Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?
This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (data verified 06 Nov 2025)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
 

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:
Victorian/Pre-WWI

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 628243 Rockingham St Leonard
Caption:
Exterior image of 628243 Rockingham St Leonard
Description:
Photograph of the north façade of St Leonard’s church, Rockingham in the Diocese of Peterborough (628243) taken 20 March 2009.
Year / Date:
2009
Copyright:
Diocese of Peterborough
Originator:
Unknown

Summary Description

The medieval church was destroyed during the siege of Rockingham Castle in the civil war as was the village that then surrounded it. The present building is on the same site and largely dates from the nineteenth century. It is a spectacular position with fine views over the Welland valley. It is well worth the pilgrimage up the steep path from the village road. Internally it’s chief draw is the funerary chapel to members of the Watson family, Earl Sondes. The chapel was created in 1873 and monuments dating back to the 16th / 17th centuries and onwards were reassembled here. Many and various they include fine works, often on an heroic scale, by John Nost, William Palmer, Delvaux and Scheemakers, Rysbrack and Paine.

Visiting and Facilities

The church is open for worship.
The church is normally locked but keys are available
 

Church Website

Church Website:
Work in progress - can you help?

Sources and Further Information

Ben Smith (2016) Interior image of 628243 Rockingham St Leonard [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 628243 Rockingham St Leonard
Unknown (2009) Exterior image of 628243 Rockingham St Leonard [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 628243 Rockingham St Leonard
CWGC (2016) Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC Unique File Reference Number: 5106 [Bibliography/Data]
Number of War Graves: 1
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/16603/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~117519~117487 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 06899

Coverage - 1870

Created by BROWNING, Edward: b. 1816 - d. 1882 of Stamford

Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 1 Bell [Archive/Index]
1 Bell