Tag Archives: Rev William Hanbury

National Trust Heritage Open Days

Posted on by

Sundays 8th & 15th September 2024, 3pm

St. Peter’s, Church Langton

Stonton Road, Church Langton, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7SZ

Join our guided tour of the church, highlighting the architectural and historical features. Learn more about the colourful history of St Peter’s Church and discover the intricate carvings and unique features of this remarkable Grade II* Listed building. The tours are part of the Heritage Festival which takes place annually in September.

Admission is free and refreshments served afterwards. Tours start at 3pm and last around an hour.

St Peter's: View to pulpit
St Peter’s: View to pulpit

A taste of the Tour – Some things you’ll discover

St. Peter’s hosted the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in a parish church 27th September 1759. It was performed as part of a festival of music organised by Rector William Hanbury. Visionary, botanist and priest – a unique man whose legacy lives on to this day.

St. Peter’s is the Mother Church of The Langtons, dating back to Norman times and was possibly an Anglo Saxon minster. This medieval church, of amazing proportions has so much heritage of interest dating from the late 13th and early 14th centuries with the tower, clerestory and nave arcades, the work of the 15th century.

Victorian renovations resulted in the elaborate carvings on the pews and pulpit and a reredos in the chancel which is an alabaster representation of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.

And that’s only part of the story! Learn more with a Guided Tour

Guided Tour Details                                                                                          

Sunday 8th September: 3.00pm
Sunday 15th September: 3.00pm

No booking required, just arrive at 3pm. We look forward to welcoming you.

Refreshments

Simple refreshments will be available afterwards.

Access

No direct wheelchair access but prior notice by email here, for assistance for wheelchair users. There is uneven ground in churchyard. Parking on the road outside, toilet facilities by arrangement – please ask for assistance – Further parking at the Community Hall on Stonton Road. Approximately 5-10 minutes’ walk.

Directions

Find us just off the B6047 Market Harborough to Melton Road, 3 miles from Kibworth, 6 miles from Market Harborough. Postcode for satellite navigation systems LE16 7SZ –

What three word link: https://w3w.co/cubed.thinkers.upholds

Learn more
Heritage open days

A Weekend of ‘Messiah’ at St Peter’s

Posted on by

Alleluia – Thank you!

65 singers from choirs across Leicester and Leicestershire, the Knighton Chamber Orchestra and four soloists, former Leicester University students, were conducted by Dr. Paul Jenkins. The audience in the almost full church were mesmerised by the beauty and volume of the music which resonated outside to nearby residents.

The performance completes the National Lottery Heritage Activities for the grant work to repair the roofs as well as raising £3,252.85 and after expenses, £1,403.64 for St. Peter’s (much better than William Hanbury did—he couldn’t afford to pay the orchestra!) 

Thanks to all who gave their support especially the volunteers from the PCC for preparing the church and at the concert, and Roz Folwell for her leadership and commitment to the event.

Barry Barnes, Secretary to the PCC of Church Langton.

  • 'Messiah' 2022, St Peter's Church Langton
    ‘Messiah’ 2022, St Peter’s Church Langton
  • 'Messiah' 2022, St Peter's Church Langton
    ‘Messiah’ 2022, St Peter’s Church Langton
  • 'Messiah' 2022, St Peter's Church Langton
    ‘Messiah’ 2022, St Peter’s Church Langton
  • 'Messiah' 2022, St Peter's Church Langton
    ‘Messiah’ 2022, St Peter’s Church Langton
  • Soloists at Messiah, St Peter’s Church Langton, Saturday 14th May, 2022

The programme is still available to download as a souvenir, if you wish, see below.

Programme: Messiah 14-05-2022Download

A Weekend of ‘Messiah’ at St Peter’s

Posted on by

Alleluia – Thank you!

A wonderful weekend of Messiah at St Peter’s – There are more photos and news to follow, but briefly, we wanted to thank everyone who came, all who sang, those who played and those who organised and directed. What an experience!

Firstly, our thanks go to Neil Crutchley for his talk on Friday evening, which set the scene of the first and unique performance in 1759.

On Saturday, The Knighton Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Dr Paul Jenkins with the Community Choir and soloists Rebecca Madden Soprano, Alice Chamber Alto, Brennan Alleyne Tenor and Andrew Radford Baritone raised the roof in an exhilarating performance of the full oratorio. Thanks to all – Alleluia!

Soloists at Messiah, St Peter’s Church Langton, Saturday 14th May, 2022

The programme is still available to download as a souvenir, if you wish, see below.

Programme: Messiah 14-05-2022Download