On October 26th, 2025, we visited St Peter & St Paul Church situated on the outskirts of Market Overton. Although the clocks have just changed (BST back one hour to GMT) – and despite it being rainy – there was still a few hours of daylight left even around 3 pm. This Church possesses a fascinating history. Hannah Aynscough was born locally in Market Overton. This lady was the esteemed mother of Sir Isaac Newton (who was born in nearby Woolsthorpe Manor, Colsterworth). The sun dial on the Parish Church Tower is believed to have been given to the village of Market Overton – out of respect to the memory of his respected mother:
Around 9:30 am on the Sunday morning, I heard the Church bells ring – summoning the faithful to worship. I probably had not heard church-bells “peal” for probably over 30-years – when I used to live in a quiet Devonshire town. Mind you, early on Sunday mornings we also used to have the Salvation Army banging drums and blowing trumpets, etc, usually whilst stood on various street corners. People would shout out their windows stating that they had been working nights – and needed to get some sleep! Such are the modern times we live in. Culture is an interesting thing – as it often changes and switches. When Henry VIII abolished the Roman Catholic Church in the UK in 1534 (Act of Supremacy) – followed by the Dissolution of the Monasteries – these were tremendous Revolutionary acts that must of shocked the entire population.
Even before this, Henry V annulled all foreign-owned abbeys and monasteries (as many English church establishments had been given as gifts to ecclesiastical authorities in other countries) – bringing them into the ownership of the English State. Perhaps the Revolutionary writing was on the wall. Still, out of all this, the “Anglican” (Protestant) movement development – and most of the churches in the UK today are “Protestant” (the Catholic Church was only permitted back into the UK during the early 20th century – but it remains very much a minority religion).
When we arrived in the church-yard – as we had both dogs with us – we did not expect to go inside the church. After-all, the metal sun-dial was said to be on the clock-tower (photographed above) – and indeed that is exactly where we found it! However, an elderly lady – I believe a Church Warden – invited us (plus the dogs) into the interior of the church to look at its many interesting (historical) artefacts. So, in we went! This post records this visit for others to see – and for ourselves to remember.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 