Church of St Leonard, Rodney Stoke

The Church of St Leonard stands in the quiet village of Rodney Stoke in Somerset. Built around 1175, it is one of England’s oldest churches still in use. The building is a Grade I listed structure, recognised for its historical importance. Inside, a carved oak screen from 1624 bears the coat of arms of Sir Edward Rodney. The screen shows the martyrdom of St Erasmus, a dramatic scene of suffering. Victorian restorers in the 1870s added a slow-combustion stove set into the floor. The church belongs to a benefice that includes nearby Draycott. The church holds the graves of the Rodney family, who once owned the land. Sir Edward Rodney, who gave the screen, died in 1657 and lies beneath a simple stone. His wife Anne Rodney died in 1630, and their daughter Frances in 1659. The building’s long history is matched by its place in local records. It sits within the Axbridge deanery of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. The parish remains small but well kept, a quiet witness to centuries of change. Visitors find a plain stone church with a single aisle and a small chancel. The 1624 screen divides the nave from the sanctuary, its figures still sharp after centuries. The stove pit in the floor is an unusual feature, set low for warmth. Outside, the churchyard is bordered by low stone walls and mature yews. The village around it is peaceful, with few distractions from the building’s age and craftsmanship. The interior feels cool and dim, the air still holding the scent of old wood and stone.