This is my village and it has the beautiful St John the Baptist church at the heart of the community just across from the maypole, which is one of the few last permanent maypoles in the country. St John's spire can be seen for miles around and is often used as a location device.
We also have a part to play in the local history of the area. The following is sourced from "The bare bones" a family history by D Weston:
"Know present and future people that I Rohesia de Verdun, have granted and by this my charter confirmed, to god and St Mary and to the church of the holy trinity of the grace of god at Belton and to the servants of Christ, the nuns in the same church serving god, in pure and perpetual alms, for me and my Heirs, and for the souls of my parents and all my ancestors, and of my husbands all the manor of Belton".
So begins the charter of foundation of Gracedieu priory in Leicestershire, confirmed by king Henry III in 1242. The lady who made this seemingly generous gift to the nuns of the order of St Austin was Rohesia de Verdun, the daughter of Nicholas de Verdun and Joan (or Jeanne) Fits-Piers....Rohesia de Verdun died on February 10th 1247 and was buried at Gracedieu [priory]. Some three hundred years later during the dissolution of the monasteries Gracedieu's last prioress Agnes Litherland surrendered the priory on October 27th 1539. Tradition asserts that Rohesia's remains were removed to Belton church where they were hidden in the tower for reburial at a quieter time. Rohesia's fine alabaster tomb can indeed be seen today in Belton church [half way down] the north aisle, however, it seems that in 1839 the reverend J. Eddowes gave permission for her remains to be conveyed to the new catholic chapel which had recently been consecrated at Gracedieu manor. The tomb was duly opened but it seems that no remains were found".
The Church has recently undergone renovations with support from charitable trusts and the local community. This has included a new roof, plastering and internal redecoration, updating the lighting, and the installation of a toilet and kitchenette in the tower. The church is often open if you want to go and have a look around. Thank you taking the time to look for my first church micro hide.
If anybody would like to expand this series please do, i would just ask that you would let Sadexploration know first at churchmicro@gmail.com so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication. There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the bookmark list.