St Leonard’s is the parish church for Loftus. The original ancient edifice dating back to Saxon times was demolished in 1810, described by Rev. Graves “as a dark, mean and humble building.” The new church designed by Ignatius Bonomi, a well known Durham architect who also planned the original Rectory, (this now called Linden House) above Dam end; the hall of Lord Dundas in the Hall Grounds is also much in his style. The church was again enlarged around 1900, with the addition of a north aisle. The fine carved rood screen and rood cross, divide the nave from the chancel.
Image (from a Skilbeck postcard) courtesy Maurice Grayson; detail courtesy of Nicholas Pevsner “Yorkshire- the North Riding”.
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