A few days ago I got a message from a priest like "do you wanna come and visit this church?" There was one odd thing about it though, he sent me the church name, and the post code - and that was it. No street name, no village, no... Nothing.

Then he sent me co-ordinates.
The church was in the middle of nowhere. The track that led up to it was unpaved. The road it was on was unnamed. And, unusually for a village church, its village was nowhere to be seen, located over a mile away, across empty fields...
The church was in the middle of nowhere. The track that led up to it was unpaved. The road it was on was unnamed. And, unusually for a village church, its village was nowhere to be seen, located over a mile away, across empty fields...
The church was in the middle of nowhere. The track that led up to it was unpaved. The road it was on was unnamed. And, unusually for a village church, its village was nowhere to be seen, located over a mile away, across empty fields...
Here is a short two minute snippet of my drive out to the church. Just so you understand how middle-of-nowhere this place is.

The last bit was an unpaved path, so I abandoned my car half a kilometre or so from the church, met the priest, and walked from there.
The priest and I walked up this old track through the fields, plants looming well over head height either side, until suddenly the crops turned into trees, and there, in the middle of nowhere, was a churchyard.
The priest and I walked up this old track through the fields, plants looming well over head height either side, until suddenly the crops turned into trees, and there, in the middle of nowhere, was a churchyard.
The priest and I walked up this old track through the fields, plants looming well over head height either side, until suddenly the crops turned into trees, and there, in the middle of nowhere, was a churchyard.
There, in the middle of fields, stands the gorgeous St Leonard's Church, built somewhen in the early 1200's, and still without electricity or running water.
Just look at this door! How utterly fabulous! The quality of construction of the church and all of the carved detailing is extremely (and unusually) high, and some think it may have been built as a chantry chapel for Robert de Tattershall.
Just look at this door! How utterly fabulous! The quality of construction of the church and all of the carved detailing is extremely (and unusually) high, and some think it may have been built as a chantry chapel for Robert de Tattershall.
Just look at this door! How utterly fabulous! The quality of construction of the church and all of the carved detailing is extremely (and unusually) high, and some think it may have been built as a chantry chapel for Robert de Tattershall.
Just look at this door! How utterly fabulous! The quality of construction of the church and all of the carved detailing is extremely (and unusually) high, and some think it may have been built as a chantry chapel for Robert de Tattershall.
Just look at this door! How utterly fabulous! The quality of construction of the church and all of the carved detailing is extremely (and unusually) high, and some think it may have been built as a chantry chapel for Robert de Tattershall.
Why would a small one-room chapel, of Cathedral-quality construction be built in the middle of nowhere? Well, back when St Leonard's was built this enormous chunk of stone a little way down the track, was a Cistercian monastery, and St Leonard's was sited just outside the walls.
Why would a small one-room chapel, of Cathedral-quality construction be built in the middle of nowhere? Well, back when St Leonard's was built this enormous chunk of stone a little way down the track, was a Cistercian monastery, and St Leonard's was sited just outside the walls.
Why would a small one-room chapel, of Cathedral-quality construction be built in the middle of nowhere? Well, back when St Leonard's was built this enormous chunk of stone a little way down the track, was a Cistercian monastery, and St Leonard's was sited just outside the walls.
But I know you all want to see inside the Church, so let's have a peek...
But I know you all want to see inside the Church, so let's have a peek...
But I know you all want to see inside the Church, so let's have a peek...
But I know you all want to see inside the Church, so let's have a peek...
But I know you all want to see inside the Church, so let's have a peek...
Inside the church is a single room - please excuse the dust, even without a plague the church is only opened for a single service a month - and until my visit today nobody had been inside for over half a year.
Inside the church is a single room - please excuse the dust, even without a plague the church is only opened for a single service a month - and until my visit today nobody had been inside for over half a year.
Inside the church is a single room - please excuse the dust, even without a plague the church is only opened for a single service a month - and until my visit today nobody had been inside for over half a year.
Over beside the altar is (most of) an effigy of a knight. Believed to be one of the earliest military effigies in England, there's only three others still in existence in England with this style of chain mail, and only seven with this helmet style.
Over beside the altar is (most of) an effigy of a knight. Believed to be one of the earliest military effigies in England, there's only three others still in existence in England with this style of chain mail, and only seven with this helmet style.
Over beside the altar is (most of) an effigy of a knight. Believed to be one of the earliest military effigies in England, there's only three others still in existence in England with this style of chain mail, and only seven with this helmet style.
Over beside the altar is (most of) an effigy of a knight. Believed to be one of the earliest military effigies in England, there's only three others still in existence in England with this style of chain mail, and only seven with this helmet style.
The wooden rood screen that spans the church is unique. The top and bottom sections, in darker wood, date from the 1900's - but the arcading, carved from lighter duller wood, is original to the church, and dates from the 1200's - it's one of the oldest examples in existence.
The wooden rood screen that spans the church is unique. The top and bottom sections, in darker wood, date from the 1900's - but the arcading, carved from lighter duller wood, is original to the church, and dates from the 1200's - it's one of the oldest examples in existence.
The wooden rood screen that spans the church is unique. The top and bottom sections, in darker wood, date from the 1900's - but the arcading, carved from lighter duller wood, is original to the church, and dates from the 1200's - it's one of the oldest examples in existence.
The wooden rood screen that spans the church is unique. The top and bottom sections, in darker wood, date from the 1900's - but the arcading, carved from lighter duller wood, is original to the church, and dates from the 1200's - it's one of the oldest examples in existence.
The wooden rood screen that spans the church is unique. The top and bottom sections, in darker wood, date from the 1900's - but the arcading, carved from lighter duller wood, is original to the church, and dates from the 1200's - it's one of the oldest examples in existence.
Just LOOK at that 800 year old wood. Just hanging out, doing the job it was carved for all those centuries ago.
Just LOOK at that 800 year old wood. Just hanging out, doing the job it was carved for all those centuries ago.
Just LOOK at that 800 year old wood. Just hanging out, doing the job it was carved for all those centuries ago.
The ribbed vaulting, curving upwards, is spectacular, and over the altar the ribs converge on a gorgeous roof boss depicting the Lamb of God.
For a seemingly simple church, there's beautifully carved detailing everywhere you look (and some fragments of medieval wall painting).
For a seemingly simple church, there's beautifully carved detailing everywhere you look (and some fragments of medieval wall painting).
For a seemingly simple church, there's beautifully carved detailing everywhere you look (and some fragments of medieval wall painting).
For a seemingly simple church, there's beautifully carved detailing everywhere you look (and some fragments of medieval wall painting).
For a seemingly simple church, there's beautifully carved detailing everywhere you look (and some fragments of medieval wall painting).
The church itself is beautifully atmospheric, and has such a sense of love about it. The priest was telling me that once a year they do an evening carol service out there, in this church in the middle of the fields, and because there's no electricity it's all lit by candle light.
The church itself is beautifully atmospheric, and has such a sense of love about it. The priest was telling me that once a year they do an evening carol service out there, in this church in the middle of the fields, and because there's no electricity it's all lit by candle light.
The church itself is beautifully atmospheric, and has such a sense of love about it. The priest was telling me that once a year they do an evening carol service out there, in this church in the middle of the fields, and because there's no electricity it's all lit by candle light.
The church itself is beautifully atmospheric, and has such a sense of love about it. The priest was telling me that once a year they do an evening carol service out there, in this church in the middle of the fields, and because there's no electricity it's all lit by candle light.
The church itself is beautifully atmospheric, and has such a sense of love about it. The priest was telling me that once a year they do an evening carol service out there, in this church in the middle of the fields, and because there's no electricity it's all lit by candle light.
As we were turning to leave, I spotted a little door in the corner, and behind the door was a staircase...
As we were turning to leave, I spotted a little door in the corner, and behind the door was a staircase...
As we were turning to leave, I spotted a little door in the corner, and behind the door was a staircase...
As we were turning to leave, I spotted a little door in the corner, and behind the door was a staircase...
As we were turning to leave, I spotted a little door in the corner, and behind the door was a staircase...
At the top of the staircase? The underside of the slightly bizarre modern roof, which is perched awkwardly on top of the medieval church, with gaps all along the edge, as if it's too scared to touch the stone.

But more importantly, there's also the top of the vaulted ceiling!
At the top of the staircase? The underside of the slightly bizarre modern roof, which is perched awkwardly on top of the medieval church, with gaps all along the edge, as if it's too scared to touch the stone.But more importantly, there's also the top of the vaulted ceiling!
At the top of the staircase? The underside of the slightly bizarre modern roof, which is perched awkwardly on top of the medieval church, with gaps all along the edge, as if it's too scared to touch the stone.But more importantly, there's also the top of the vaulted ceiling!
At the top of the staircase? The underside of the slightly bizarre modern roof, which is perched awkwardly on top of the medieval church, with gaps all along the edge, as if it's too scared to touch the stone.But more importantly, there's also the top of the vaulted ceiling!
At the top of the staircase? The underside of the slightly bizarre modern roof, which is perched awkwardly on top of the medieval church, with gaps all along the edge, as if it's too scared to touch the stone.But more importantly, there's also the top of the vaulted ceiling!
Heading back outside, I stopped to admire the door (and the graffiti) - the wood of the door is new(ish) but the hinges are the original ironwork from the 1200's.
Heading back outside, I stopped to admire the door (and the graffiti) - the wood of the door is new(ish) but the hinges are the original ironwork from the 1200's.
Heading back outside, I stopped to admire the door (and the graffiti) - the wood of the door is new(ish) but the hinges are the original ironwork from the 1200's.
Heading back outside, I stopped to admire the door (and the graffiti) - the wood of the door is new(ish) but the hinges are the original ironwork from the 1200's.
Heading back outside, I stopped to admire the door (and the graffiti) - the wood of the door is new(ish) but the hinges are the original ironwork from the 1200's.
I spent some time wandering around this churchyard in the middle of nowhere, surrounded on all sides by towering crops, and trees, and silence.

It's honestly one of the most magical places I've ever been.
I spent some time wandering around this churchyard in the middle of nowhere, surrounded on all sides by towering crops, and trees, and silence.It's honestly one of the most magical places I've ever been.
I spent some time wandering around this churchyard in the middle of nowhere, surrounded on all sides by towering crops, and trees, and silence.It's honestly one of the most magical places I've ever been.
I spent some time wandering around this churchyard in the middle of nowhere, surrounded on all sides by towering crops, and trees, and silence.It's honestly one of the most magical places I've ever been.
I spent some time wandering around this churchyard in the middle of nowhere, surrounded on all sides by towering crops, and trees, and silence.It's honestly one of the most magical places I've ever been.
Amazingly the graveyard still has a small number of plots available, and I personally cannot think of many places I'd rather be buried, to be honest.
Amazingly the graveyard still has a small number of plots available, and I personally cannot think of many places I'd rather be buried, to be honest.
Amazingly the graveyard still has a small number of plots available, and I personally cannot think of many places I'd rather be buried, to be honest.
Amazingly the graveyard still has a small number of plots available, and I personally cannot think of many places I'd rather be buried, to be honest.
Amazingly the graveyard still has a small number of plots available, and I personally cannot think of many places I'd rather be buried, to be honest.
I cannot recommend a visit to St Leonard's more - even if she's not open. It's an incredible place, and I feel so honoured to have visited, explored, prayed, and been prayed for, in such a space.

Seek her out, if you fancy an adventure, her co-ordinates are: 53.136107, -0.222877
(awkward thread ending reminder thing where I say that if you liked this adventure and the facts and photos you can chuck me a tip here: https://ko-fi.com/jayhulme  if you can afford it)
Oooh also you can find more church adventures here: https://twitter.com/JayHulmePoet/status/1294387410642579456
After a bit of prodding, the priest set this page up - so you can donate to this incredible little church online! Please do if you can! http://woodhallspa.group/give 
You can follow @JayHulmePoet.
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