There has been a church (or chapel) on the site since the 12th century, traces of which can be seen in the present structure.[1] The chapel may have been rebuilt in the 14th century. It was substantially rebuilt in 1558, by
Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby and was
restored in 1885.[2][3] The tower was added in 1899–1900 by James Bertwistle of Blackburn.[2] The church was designated a Grade I
listed building on 11 November 1966.[4]
Architecture
Exterior
St Leonard's is constructed of yellow
sandstone, with older parts in red sandstone, and stone slate roofs.[1] Its plan consists of a
clerestoriednave and
chancel under one roof with
aisles to the north and south, and a tower to the north-west.[3] The 19th century east window is a three lights window with a pointed head.[3] The west window (perhaps also 19th century)[2] has a pointed arch with three pointed lights and crossed
mullions.[1] Most of the remaining windows are square-headed with three rounded lights.[1]
Together, the nave and chancel measure 66 feet (20 m) by 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m).[1] The internal walls, rough
coursed masonry, were plastered at one time, but this was removed in the 19th century.[3] There is a
piscina in the south wall of the
sanctuary.[1] The
arcades have four
bays with pointed arches. The
piers are octagonal. At the west end of the south aisle is a
baptistery, concealed by an oak screen.[1]
There are elaborate
box pews from the 16th and 17th centuries, the earliest from 1678.[2] The double-decker
pulpit is in the north end of the nave.[1] There is funerary armour dating from 1546 of Thomas Southworth of
Samlesbury Hall.[2]
Churchyard
There is a
sundial a few feet south-east of the church, with a plate that dates from 1742. It has been given a Grade II designation by English Heritage.[5] A stone font was removed from the church and now sits in the churchyard. It is inscribed with "TW 1769". It has also received a Grade II designation.[6]
The churchyard contains
war graves of three soldiers of
World War I.[7]
Clayton, G. (1976), St. Leonard-the-Less, Samlesbury : A Brief History and Descriptive Guide, Samlesbury,
OCLC60417681{{
citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)