Old etching of St. Bartholomew's Church. The Will Walker Collection
St Bartholomew's Church Kirby Muxloe
The following history is an extract from 'Church Guide-St Bartholomew's , Kirby Muxloe by the late Jonathan Wilshere (pub. 1969). It is reproduced here by kind permission of the Wilshere family.
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KIRBY, later Kirby Muxloe, founded by the Danes probably in the late ninth or tenth century, appears in Domesday Book (1086) as Carbi, "Caeri's settlement"; it then contained a working population of eight. Although this place-name does not have the same derivation as the common "Kirk-by," denoting a place with a pre-Conquest church, it would be wrong to infer that Kirby may not have had its small place of worship at this time. The advowson of the mother church at Glenfield (Clenefeld), where Domesday Book mentioned a priest, was one of six Leicestershire churches given to the Normandy Abbey of St. Evroult by Hugh de Grantesmesnil in 1081. Kirby is known to have had a church by 1168, but the present restored mid-nineteenth century building, dates from the Early Decorated Period, the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century.
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St Bart's Church from Desford Road (Back Lane) c 1898 Photograph The Wilshere Collection
The new font designed and made by Peter Cooper
Churches in Kirby Muxloe
There are two churches in Kirby Muxloe. The Parish church of St Bartholomew's dates back to the 14th century, although there had been a church on the site previously.
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The Free Church was rebuilt after the original building had been destroyed by enemy bombs on November 20th 1940.
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The Lincoln Bishops' Registers disclose (in Latin) in the Rolls of Hugh of Weller that between c. 1209 and 1220 "Matthew de Cantelupe was presented to the living of Glenfield by the abbot of St. Evroult" and that "he has Braunston Chapel which has a resident chaplain, also Kirby where he should officiate three days in the week." Glenfield, with its two chapelries, remained under the Bishops of Lincoln until Leicester Archdeaconry was transferred to the Diocese of Peterborough in 1839. A further transfer took place with the creation of Leicester Diocese in 1927, and within the next ten years both chapelries became separate livings.
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Kirby, though a chapelry for at least eight centuries, has seen the rites of baptism and burial administered for at least the last 450 years. It is recorded that in 1306 the baptism of Simon Pakeman, son of the Lord of the Manor, of Pakeman's Place (the site of Kirby Castle), took place at Glenfield.
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Ralph Petch, in his will (1508), though asking for burial in the chancel of Glenfield church, bequeathed 3s. 4d. "for the maintenance of the Chapel of St. Bartholomew of Kirby" and also gave one ewe and a pullet to the Sanctuary of that chapel. Three years later Elizabeth Kent, also buried at Glenfield, left 3s. 4d. and "a torche" to Kirby chapel. Another interesting early bequest, that of a quarter of malt, was made by Robert Duckett, rector of Glenfield, who died in 1531. Other wills show that burials were taking place both in Kirby Church and churchyard by 1514. Kirby churchwardens are first mentioned in 1510 complaining about Glenfield churchyard fence being out of repair.
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The earliest known reference to the dedication of Kirby Church to St. Bartholomew occurs in the Petch will (1508) mentioned earlier. Other churches within Leicester Diocese similarly dedicated include Foston, Quorndon, Snarestone and Sproxton.
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Bartholomew, the name means son of Talmai, was one of the twelve Apostles, but little is known about him. Some theologians identify him with the Nathaniel mentioned in St. John's Gospel. Bartholomew is supposed to have been flayed to death in Armenia. In the western Church, St. Bartholomew's Day is kept on 24th August.
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Early Years in Faith Cottage
Faith Cottage c 1890
Photograph The Wilshere Collection
The earliest meetings took place in "Faith Cottage" which was situated at the corner of Main Street and Ratby Lane. This was the home of Mr. Henser, no preaching took place and these were only "praise and testimony" meetings.
Move to Vernon House
Vernon House
Photo: The Joan Bloomfield collection
In 1876 Mr D,H. Downing, a hosiery manufacturer and Congregationalist, from Leicester, came to live at Vernon House on Main Street. He offered his billiard room at the rear of the house as a place for worship. News spread, and at the first Sunday meeting over 50 young people from Kirby Muxloe, Ratby and Glenfield attended. His sister in law, Miss Rhoda Stonier, started the hymns with a tuning fork. Eventually a choir was formed. Mr Lord, a Leicester lay preacher, conducted the services. After a few years Mr Downing was forced, for business reasons, to return to Leicester. Mr Henser then offered the front room of his house for religious meetings. His American organ was used to lead the singing.
Move to the Red Barn
The 'Red Barn' Forest Lodge Hotel
Photograph The Wilshere Collection
In the summer of 1879, Mr James Turner, a leather merchant from Leicester, took up residence in Kirby Muxloe. He was a Nonconformist and had been a member of Charles Street Baptist Church. Although he attended the services in Faith Cottage, he hoped to find larger premises for worship. He found the "Red Barn" the central part of the Forest Lodge Hotel on Desford road which is now demolished. The barn, a very tall, thin building had a large central room which was empty at the time. Mr Turner negotiated with the owner, and a rent of five shillings a week was agreed. Eventually Mr Henser allowed the seats (originally from Vernon House) to be used by Mr Turner. Mr Henser also allowed his organ to be moved to the new premises and he played the organ at the services. In these early days Mr Turner's influence cannot be over -estimated, as he increased the congregation and organised the choir. Services in the room at "Forest Lodge" continued for nearly two years, but the tenure was insecure. As a result the leaders of the community considered building a church.
The Zion Chapel
The Zion Chapel
The Will Walker Collection
In 1880, a site on Main Street was purchased for £40. Construction began in early 1881. The architect was Mr Mr W.T. Topott of Leicester. Mr George Mason, a local man was the builder. The total cost was around £400. Mr Turner was both Secretary and Treasurer of the "New Church". A group of enthusiasts supported the project. When a Sunday School was formed, Mr Turner was appointed as Superintendent. A few years later, he organised outings for the "scholars". A supporter provided farm wagons for the outing to Bradgate Park, Cropston Resevoir and Groby Pool.
The First Free Church
The Free Church built in 1881
Photograph The Will Walker Collection
Mr Albert Pickard was a strong Nonconformist who came to live in the village. Under his leadership, the splendid helpers enabled the debt on the Chapel to be paid off. As the Church prospered so did the Sunday School. By 1893, The Zion Chapel had become too small and plans for a new chapel began to be considered. Land for the new chapel was bought from Mr W. Townsend in 1894. The plan included accomodation for 200 worshipers and a schoolroom for 100 scholars. On 8th April 1896, Mr J. Tait was appointed Architect and the builder was to be Mr G.F. Mason. The ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone was on 29th July 1896. It was appropiate for Mr Downing to be chosen for this task. The day for the opening was 20th May 1897. The name of the church, chosen by the leaders, was to be "The Free Church". Many friends from neighbouring villages attended the celebrations. Guest ministers conducted the afternoon and evening services.
The New Free Church
Womens' Meeting 1907
Photo: the Will Walker Collection
The Opening of the new Free Church on the weekend of September 12th and 13th 1953. After many years of fund raising at last the building of the new Free Church could commence. The opening took place on the weekend of September12th and 13th, 1953. Dr S.W. Hughes was the preacher for the weekend. Representatives of women's work, Parish Council, Blaby R.D.C., architects, builders, Deacons' fraternals and local Baptist churches were in attendance. Folowing the service, tea, and greetings, the congregation returned to the Church for a service of thanksgiving and praise. The augmented choir sang Sullivan's Festival 'Te Deum' and Dr. George Gray, Musc: Bach FRCO, "showed off the paces of the splendid new organ". Taken from The First Hundred Years of Kirby Muxloe Free Church.
The Opening of the new Free Church
Rev. Lovsey and Miss M. Wilshere laying the Foundation Stone at the new Church, 1953
On March 5th 1954, the first "Womens' World Day of Prayer" service was held at the Free Church, its aim at uniting Christian women in prayer. The service is still held on the first Friday in Lent, the responsibilities being taken by the Anglican, Catholic and Free Church women in rotation.