Langford is a small linear settlement along the A1133 to the north of Newark. It is an interesting village with three large 18thC stone farmhouses. The church is to the north of the present village, set off the main road. It is near the Old Hall and there is a huge Victorian Rectory next to it. The bumps in the surrounding fields are all that remains of the medieval village after it was depopulated in 1593 to make way for sheep.
The church, set in a small churchyard, is hidden by trees and reached along a short track just before the level crossing on the dead end side road to Holme. It is normally shut but was open as part of the Nottinghamshire Churches Open Weekend.
The church is 12/13thC with a low square tower. The tower and nave are battlemented with flat roofs. The south aisle and chancel have tiled sloping roofs. On the outside of the windows are small carved heads.
The inside of the church is reached down three steps and after the heat outside with temperatures hitting 30? it felt pleasantly cool. It is a very plain simple church with whitewashed walls and a wooden beam ceiling. Plain glass windows flood the church with light. There are octagonal pillars with battlemented capitals and pointed arches separating nave and south aisle. There is more battlementing on the chancel arch.
There is a modern font at the back of the church. On the west wall is a Royal Coat of Arms. The pews have been stripped of their dark brown varnish and are now are pale golden wood with cast iron poppyheads, rather incongruously, painted a dark brown. Don’t be confused, there aren’t any poppies. The word comes from the French ‘poupée’ meaning figurehead. This theme of pale wood with dark brown decoration is continued on the pulpit.
Steps lead up into the chancel with wooden altar rail and a simple altar covered with a white cloth with a gold cross. On the north wall set under a pointed arch with embossed decoration is the organ. There are the usual selection of 19thC monuments on the chancel walls, mainly to the Duncombes of Langford Hall.
There is nothing special about the church. It is similar to so many others scattered around England. Never the less it is a quiet and peaceful place to sit and contemplate. Visit website. And some History.
