St Leonard, Semley, Wiltshire - 21st September 2003

A parish church has stood in Semley since Norman times, however the present church is Victorian.  The old remnants from the older buildings are the Norman font and a thirteenth century effigy of a priest, which are both situated close to the north door.

The rebuilding of the church was begun by Henry Hall, Rector of Semley from 1856. In 1866 he took down the old chancel and built a new one entirely at his own expense.  The rebuilding of the rest of the building started in 1874 and was completed the following year.  The money for the work (£4,200) was given by the Marchioness of Westminster.

The tower has six bells, of which the Treble (cast in 1733 by William Cockey of Frome) and 2nd (pre-Reformation, cast by Robert Burford of London c.1410) came from the earlier church.  The remaining bells were given in 1878 by the Reverend Henry Hall.

St Leonard's Church, Semley, Wiltshire - MTC

The organ was built by Hill and Son of London and was given by the Rector in 1875.

Organ, Semley, Wiltshire - MTCNave & Chancel, Semley, Wiltshire - MTC

Semley was the home of Yvonne Fletcher until she became a Police Constable in the Metropolitan Police.  She was tragically shot while on duty at the Libyan Embassy in St James Square, London and died on the 17th April 1984. The church contains a lovely stained glass window in her memory which was designed by Henry Haig A.R.C.A. of Fifehead Magdalen in Dorset.

Window in memory of Yvonne Fletcher, Semley, Wiltshire - MTC

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