St Leonard’s Church, Linley

Built in the 12th century, St Leonard’s Church was a chapel of ease to Holy Trinity in Much Wenlock throughout the Middle Ages. The church consists of a simple nave, chancel and a tower, all made from local sandstone rubble. The nave and chancel were built first, with the tower being added later in the 12th century.

Externally, the church is almost completely Norman in style, retaining much of its original character without later extension. Featuring a Norman south doorway with simple imposts and a tympanum decorated with chevrons, and an ancient studded door with strap hinges. The blocked north doorway, also Norman, has a tympanum carved with a Green Man, a figure with its legs apart and foliage extending from its mouth. The 2-stage Norman tower has a recess at the top with a row of four corbels and a 19th-century pyramidal roof with weathervane. The chancel has some small Norman Windows.

Much of the interior of the church is a result of a 19th-century restoration, including a tiled floor, pews and a new east window. The tower arch has semi-circular responds, and capitals decorated with volutes and beaded ornamental bands. The plain chancel arch is earlier, with simple imposts.

One of the highlights of the interior is the fabulous Norman font with its Romanesque carvings. The decoration of the font consists of cable-moulding, medallions, bands, and demons in the style of Green Men, again echoing its medieval woodland location.