The Old Church of Saint Paul's

The church was designed and built by Mr. F.W.Ordish of Queniborough who was
the architect, and the foundation stone was laid at the east end with due
ceremony in 1870.



The church consists of a nave, north and south aisles and a spacious
chancel, with a massive square tower at the east end to the south aisle. The
walls were built of syrenite probably quarried at Enderby

The tower with its massive spire of 190 feet  was never completed due to
Roman excavations on the site making the land unsafe to carry the weight.
The tower was capped off after the belfry stage at 62 feet.

Other measurements of note.

 

LENGTH

WIDTH

HEIGHT of EAVES

HEIGHT to RIDGE

NAVE

 91 feet 31 feet 4 inches 38 feet 3 inches 60 feet

AISLES

 83 feet 6 inches 17 feet 13 feet 10 inches 28 feet

CHANCEL

 43 feet 29 feet 2 inches  




The cathedral like apse windows give an impression of grandeur, the
graphical picture of Jesus' ascension into heaven installed in 1923 and paid
for by the Sunday School children, brings the whole of the east end of the
church to life.

This is completed by the reredos made of bath stone, alabaster and mosaic
depicting the great gospel writers and was dedicated in 1880 in memory of
Mrs Earnshaw, Canon Masons sister. The high altar was painted by Miss Louisa
Yard 

1881 The first stained glass window was installed in the baptistry, this
window was completed in 1884 when the second light was added.

1885 Chasubles were used for the first time at a Eucharist. The black
chasuble was given by the guild of all souls.

1896 A white cope was dedicated and this was the first to be used in any
Leicester Anglican church in modern times.



1898 The Stations of the Cross were dedicated.

1905 Altar piece for the Lady Chapel entitled Madonna del Gran Duca
dedicated. This was paid for by Miss Ellen Benfield.

1911 High mass with the ceremonial use of incense was used for the first
time. A gold high mass set was given by Saint Mary Magdalene Parish Church
Paddington.

1912. First distribution and procession of palms. 8 large Doulton vases
given at Easter.

1916. Church windows darkened as a precaution against Zeppelin raids. First
lighting of the church by electricity.

1919 Dedication of the new Christmas crib and figures.

1926 New boiler installed at a cost of £80.

 

1931 Organ rededicated and a new Clergy vestry built.

1933 Dedication of aumbry built into the south wall of the Lady Chapel to
replace the tabernacle on the Altar.

1939 Memorial Altar, crib, part of the north aisle, nave and roof destroyed
by fire.

1940 A three quarter life-size statue of our Lady and Child was dedicated in
memory of  W.H.Rowley the first sacristan of Saint Paul's.

1943 Church railings and gates removed for armaments

1947 New coke fired boiler order for the church heating system

1949 New railings and gates fitted around the church

1954 New Lightning conductor fixed to the tower

1958 Dedication of the statue of Saint Paul

1961 Repairs carried out to the roof of the south aisle.

1963 East end of the Lady Chapel redecorated.

1964 Re-pointing of the church tower and re-slating of the tower roof.

1965 Cleaning and re-painting the whole of the church interior

1966 Dedication of a three light stained glass window in the north aisle
depicting incidents in the life of Saint Paul

1967 Dedication of the oak and wrought iron altar rails.

1970 Public meeting organised by the vicar  to protest against the West
Bridge-Hinckley Road development scheme.

1971 The church celebrated its centenary year.

1972 Diocesan quota increased by 95% to £777 per annum. The will of Canon Reverend Quarterman leaves monies for stained glass windows depicting the journeys of Saint Paul

1974 Introduction of a nave altar used for special occasions.

1976 the Organ was renovated and re-valued at £90,000

1990 The stained glass windows on the south side of the church were vandalised. The cost of repairs were £4,000 and afterwards Lexon was fitted to the windows for protection.A portable altar now in permanent use in the Lady Chapel in the Worship Centre was given in memory of Arthur Richmond by his family.

1991Work was carried out on the East end of the church roof

1995 The roof over the chancel needed repairing remedial work started and this was completed in 1996.

2003 Due to extensive building work that would be needed carrying out, the church was made redundant.