Crossing Langar Village green, having passed Church Cottage, you are struck by how big the church is for a small village - hence it is sometimes called the "cathedral of the vale". The churchyard is carefully tended and the sheep are its neighbours, the whole scene giving an air of tranquility.
As you enter by the fourteenth century south door, notice the small wicket door at its centre, most unusual for a parish church.The name William Gretton can be seen on the door hinges - he was the village blacksmith.
Once inside the church you can see the font- used for baptisms and the beginning of a lifetime journey of faith.
Looking up at the walls of the church, one can see a series of panels showing a selection of verses from the Bible.
The large coloured window in the west wall is inscribed:
"To the glory of God and in the memory of Thomas Bayley, of Lenton Abbey and Langar Hall 1846 - 1906, and of Annie Mary Bradley Bayley, his wife 1850 - 1906, erected by their son Harry Dennis Readett Bayley AD 1916"
At the top, a pelican feeds her young, and angels hold the text, "enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10.19).
The centre panel is the crucifixion with the text, "It is finished"(John 19.30).
The left-hand panel depicts Abel's sacrifice of a lamb, with the quotation from Hebrews 11.14, "He being dead yet speaketh", and the right panel illustrates the angel rending the veil of the Temple at the moment of Christ's death (Mark 15.38).
Below on the left is a Priest offering a burnt sacrifice in the Temple and on the right a Priest burning incense. The centre lower panel contains a coat of arms.
The North Transept
The North Transept was the only part of the church not to have been restored by the Reverend Thomas Butler and contains monuments to three generations of the Chaworth family of Wiverton Hall.
More about Wiverton Hall
The South Transept
The South Transept contains a 17th century monument to Thomas Lord Scrope and his wife with their son Emanuel kneeling at their feet. There are also monuments to the Howe's, the most famous of whom, Admiral Howe, lies in the family vault, a raised platform in the south aisle of the church.
Prayer Corner
The prayer corner allows a quiet space for reflection and prayer. Prayers may be left in a special bowl and are included in the next Sunday service. A small selection of cards are available for sale.
The Millennium Room
The new Millennium Room was dedicated on Sunday 7th October 2001 by Bishop George Cassidy. This room serves as a small meeting room and well equipped kitchen. There is also a toilet suitable for disabled access.
Bishop George with the Churchwardens Robin Coles and Edna Stanley
The Pulpit
There is an octagonal Jacobean pulpit and an oak-panelled reading desk of similar age. They may both have been constructed from panels of the Howe family pew.
Bell Tower
The bell tower contains five bells from the Taylor foundry in Loughborough.
Visiting bell teams are welcome.
More details
The Church Clock
The clock was made by the Nottingham firm of G and W Cope around 1890. It has an interesting feature in that the two clock faces, one on the south side and the larger face on the west side, are at different heights. The lower face is level with the ringing chamber and the higher face is above the bell chamber.
The Nave
The main part of the church, which once had traditional pews, now has a carpeted area and removable chairs. This makes the church building ideally suited to concerts and it has recently been used by Choral Societies and Rushcliffe Borough Council. The church is also used for the school plays and Honours assemblies. Whilst the main school site was being renovated in 2001, the church building became their temporary home.
Plan of the Church
The Church History
The Church History