2016
SK7634 : Tower arch carving, St Helen's church, Plungar
taken 8 years ago, near to Plungar, Leicestershire, England
Tower arch carving, St Helen's church, Plungar
This lizard is one of several carvings on the tower arch.
St Helen's church, Plungar
Grade II*listed
The church dates from the 13th century, with the first recorded Vicar in 1222. However most was replaced with a 14th century tower, and the rest in the 15th century.
The church consists of a west tower, south porch, nave, south aisle with chapel, and chancel. It is built in ironstone with limestone dressings and lead roofs.
There is a three stage tower without buttresses, with a castellated parapet. The corners have gargoyles, and there is a row of small grotesques and animals running below the parapet. There are two bells from 1747.
The nave has a three bay south arcade. The tower arch is decorated with animal grotesques including a lizard, and ballflowers. On the west exterior of the tower there are several plaques carved with scenes from Reynard the Fox, although now sadly much eroded.
The nave roof has tie beams and arched braces, the corbels are carved Angels.
The chancel and south Chapel are quite plain, but there are several fine bench ends in the chancel dating from circa 1500.
The east window has plain glass, and there is only patterned glass in the south Chapel.
The original pipe organ was replaced by an electronic organ in 1993.
There is a 15th century font, and the pulpit is of Caen stone.
The church was restored in 1855 when the south Chapel was added.
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