St Leonard's Conservation Project

St Leonard's Church, in Rodney Stoke, Somerset, is a Grade I listed building, dating back to the 12th or 13th century. In 2019, it was placed on Historic England's Heritage At Risk Register, to emphasise its historic importance. The church is described in Pevsner's book, Buildings of England: Somerset North and Bristol, and on our website.

Inside  the church are several monuments to the Rodney family dating back to the 15th to 17th centuries, of historic and artistic importance. In its day, the family was one of the most powerful in the West of England, with connections to royalty and the nobility. The family's descendants include: Admiral George Brydges Rodney, the 1st Baron Rodney; and Congressman Caesar Rodney of Delaware, one of the signatories of the US Decalaration of Independence. These monuments, and two others in the churchyard were the subject of substantial conservation work in 2016 to preserve them for future generations and as a historic and artistic focus for visitors.

Given its antiquity, the church is in need of constant maintenance and we would be extremely grateful for any financial help, no matter how small, that you can provide. If you can, please come and see the church for yourselves.

The church is normally open every day, but is closed due to Covis restrictions.

Watch this space!