The church of ST. MARTIN stands on high ground and consists of chancel 22 ft. 6 in. by 16 ft. 6 in., nave 42 ft. by 21 ft. 6 in., north transeptal chapel 9 ft. 9 in. by 8 ft. wide, and south porch 8 ft. by 7 ft., all these measurements being internal. There is also a bellturret with short spire over the west gable containing three bells. The chancel arch and the south doorway are of 12th-century date, and the chancel belongs to the 13th century, but with these exceptions the whole of the structure is modern, having been rebuilt on the old foundations in 1882–3. The building, however, is of considerable interest and stands on an ancient site, the 12th-century church, the nave of which was probably the same size as at present, having apparently been the successor of one of still older date. In the course of demolition in 1882 a large number of pre-Conquest fragments, mostly portions of cross shafts or arms, with interlacing and other ornament, were discovered, most of which are preserved at the west end of the nave. A number of mediaeval grave slabs were also found.
The 12th-century building was apparently a good example of the aisleless church of the district with rectangular chancel, which was afterwards rebuilt in its present form. Some time later, perhaps in the 14th century, the transeptal chapel was added, but no portion of the original masonry remaining, the date of its erection cannot positively be stated. In Ord's time, c. 1846, the south porch was 'walled up and converted into a vestry,' and 'an ancient north porch' could also be traced 'notwithstanding the modern doorway erected over it.'
The upper part of the east wall of the chancel has been rebuilt and the east window consists of three modern lancets. On the north side are three original lancets, with external hood moulds, and on the south two similar lancets with a later segmental-headed window of two trefoiled lights without hood mould near the east end. The pointed priest's doorway is original, with plain chamfered head and double-chamfered hood mould, but it is now boarded up inside. There is some red sandstone mingled with the old masonry and two fragments of mediaeval grave slabs are built into the east wall. There are no buttresses and the walls are plastered internally. No ancient ritual arrangements remain, and the roof is modern and covered, like that of the nave, with blue slates.
The chancel arch is of the usual semicircular type, of two orders towards the nave, but with a single square order facing east. The opening is 6 ft. 7 in. in width, and both orders have the cheveron ornament and spring from angle shafts with carved capitals and moulded bases. The two inner capitals are of the scalloped cushion type, but the outer are more elaborately treated. That on the north side has a human head at the angle, with a spiral volute above, and on either side a line of star ornament and other enrichment of plainer character. The neck of the capital has the cable moulding, and the west face of the stone is carved with the figure of an animal, apparently a bull. The capital on the south side has a bird at the angle with long incurved wings, and the face of the stone, as on the opposite side, has been carved with the figure of a beast, only a fragment of which remains. These figures possibly represent the symbols of the Evangelists. The imposts are quirked and chamfered, but are not continued along the walls, and the two outer shafts have been renewed. The wall on either side of and above the arch has been rebuilt.
The south doorway has a semicircular arch of two orders springing from chamfered imposts and attached angle shafts with carved capitals and moulded bases. Both orders have the cheveron ornament on the face, but the soffits are plain, and the cheveron of the inner order is carried down the jambs. The opening is 3 ft. 6 in. wide and the outer shafts are octagonal in section. There is no hood mould. The two inner capitals have volutes and grotesque animals and the outer appear to have been of the scalloped cushion type. One has been replaced by a block of stone and the other is very much worn. On the inside the doorway is entirely modern.
The nave is in the style of the 14th century with an open roof of four bays, the easternmost of which is open to the transept by a pointed arch. Built into the north wall outside are four portions of mediaeval grave slabs, and some 12th-century fragments at the angles. In the transept are portions of eleven other grave slabs with various emblems—sword, chalice, shears, &c.— and in the chancel an unmutilated stone with floreated cross, chalice and book. Two other grave slabs are in the porch. In the churchyard on the south side are a stone coffin and two portions of mediaeval coped gravestones with floreated cross heads.
The fittings are all modern and include an oak chancel screen, oak pulpit in memory of Mary Luke (d. 1900), and circular stone font. The bowl of a six-sided font in the churchyard is probably not older than the 17th century, but the shaft is ancient and has dog-tooth ornament at the angles.
The plate consists of a cup, paten and flagon of 1876, Sheffield make, each inscribed 'Kirkleavington Church 1876.' There are also two pewter flagons by Edmund Harvey, and a plated almsdish inscribed 'Kirk Leavington Church Revd William Putsey Minister, Thomas Bell Church Warden 1846.'
The registers begin in 1734.
[From British History Online]
The vicar at Kirklevington from 1794-1832 was John Graves, who published The History of Cleveland in 1808, in which he refers to the early Kirklevington as 'to have been formerly written Leventon (in Domesday Book, Lentune), a name descriptive of its situation; a town upon the river Leven. The village of Kirklevington was probably so called, as being the town with the parish church; ...'
The church has recently been re-dedicated to Ss. Martin and Hilary.
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication
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