Whiston, St Mary

A remarkably fine perpendicular church built to the orders of one man, Anthony Catesby ( 1500 – 1554) of the significant Northamptonshire Catholic family whose main seat was at Ashby St Ledger ( and later “ famous” for their involvement in the Gun Powder Plot ). Anthony Catesby himself owned the Manor at Whiston and he built his new church adjacent to his house at the top of the hill ( it can only be reached up the steep path on foot ). The most striking element is perhaps the iron and limestone striped tower which can be seen from miles around. This abuts the open airy nave with a roof decorated with both the Catesby Shield and their family symbol, a cat. Original font and benches. It is all of the highest quality which suggests a master architect probably London based. The most surprising ...thing about the church though is it’s date. It was built contemporaneously with the English Reformation. Later the estate here came to the Irby family , The Lords Boston , whose tombs particularly handsome one by Nollekens are to be found here alongside that of Thomas Catesby by William Woodman, 1700.

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