Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

St. Dionysius Church (Market Harborough)

St. Dionysius' is the parish church of the busy and attractive Leicestershire market town of Market Harborough.

The church stands in the High Street, making an attractive group with the timber framed Old Grammar School and the 19th century Symington's corset factory.

The spire, above an excellent tower, is outstanding, and is regarded by many as one of the finest in England.

The one thing that St. Dionysius' lacks, compared with almost all Anglican churches, is a churchyard. This is because it has only been the actual parish church since the 19th century, having previously had the status of a mere chapel of ease.

St. Dionysius' tower dates from around 1300, and the interior has 19th century galleries.

Charles I and Prince Rupert had their headqurters in the town before their disastrous defeat at the Battle of Naseby, after which the church was briefly used as a prisoner of war camp for captured Royalist soldiers.

A collection of children's toys was found in the church, hidden during the Civil War. These can now be seen in the town's museum.

St. Dionysius' is regularly used for worship, and is open to visitors at all reasonable times.