History of the Church

The ecclesiastical parish of Ladbroke covers the civil parishes of Ladbroke, Hodnell, Chapel Ascote and Wills Pastures. The church building is Grade I listed, dating from the 12th century with many later additions and alterations.

Early English work. The chancel, nave and tower date from the 13th and 14th centuries whilst the porch is comparatively modern.

The use of contrasting layers of stone on the tower adds further interest to the building’s fine appearance and is complemented by the peaceful churchyard setting.

There are many other features worthy of note, both inside and outside the church. On the south side of the chancel are some fine seats for the clergy (sedilia) with beautifully carved canopies. There is also a curious low window in the chancel, which is sometimes known as a “Lepers Window”, although it is doubtful if this name reflects its real purpose. On the outside wall of the south aisle there appears to be traces of Mass Dials, used to notify times of services. On the south side of the nave is the figure of a priest, said to be John de Pavalay, Rector 1298-1303, which was found under the chancel floor at the restoration.

There are also some interesting remnants from St Helen’s church, Radbourne, which no longer exists. The carved heads inside the porch were brought from Radbourne , as was the stone cross in the nave. They were found in a farmhouse at Radbourne which was being demolished at the turn of the century. The presence of these corbels and the configuration of the roof timbers indicated that the farmhouse was in the fact the old church. The church was completely restored and refurbished in 1876 by Sir Gilbert Scott at a cost of £3,000, leaving the building in a sound condition for a hundred years. Then the tower became unsafe to such an extent that the bells could not be rung until the spire and the top of the tower had been dismantled and rebuilt. This work was completed in 1993 with funds collected from many sources. The five bells, which date from the 15th to 18th centuries, are rung regularly. The chiming and striking tower clock keeps excellent time. The churchyard is in regular use as a burial ground and for the interment of ashes.

Ladbroke Church is extremely fortunate in possession an outstanding set of Communion Plate. It comprises a flagon, chalice and paten, bread bowl and cover and is said to be as fine an example of English silversmith’s work of its period as any in the land. It was the gift of Alice, Duchess of Dudley, and is hall-marked by a silversmith who used the mark ”W.C.” with an arrow between, and is dated 1619-23. The Dudley Communion Plate is normally kept in the County Museum in Warwick where it is frequently on display.

The most recent additions to the church include the Royal Arms on the West Wall (1985), a set of hand-made kneelers, many of them dedicated, donated by the Friends of Ladbroke Church and a new book case built by Andrew Chaplin in English Oak which was acquired in 1993. Another innovation has been the designation of an area on the south wall of the churchyard next to Church Cottage for memorial plaques for those cremated.

The first recorded Rector of Ladbroke was a Ralph de Lodbrok, 1290-1298, and the Rev. Canon Fishley (1960-1976) was the last of a long line of Rectors, although he continued the care of the Parish as Honorary Priest-in-Charge until 1983. In that year, the Benefices, but not the parishes, of Harbury and Ladbroke were united and the Rev. Canon A.S.B. Rowe became the first Rector of Harbury and Ladbroke. After almost a decade of service to the parish he retired in 1992 and was followed in 1993 by Rev. Roy Brown and Rev Craig Groocock in 2008.

All Saints’ Church is used for services, weddings, christenings and funerals. It also provides the venue for special events such as concerts and during the village festivals of 1986 and 1990, spectacular shows of flowers.

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