The Chancel © PE Blanche 2001 The Nave and Chancel © PE Blanche 2001

There is a small model inside the Church and against it is a notice which states that the building was constructed in 1206. The model is one of a large series showing miniature reproductions of old buildings and houses and must be available somewhere in better class high street stores. Unfortunately, the Church was badly vandalized in 1991 and there are pictures inside the Church of the aftermath of this completely senseless destruction which included several gravestones in the churchyard. This is the reason that so many of these small country churches remain bolted and barred and therefore unavailable to the casual visitor. I know that many overseas visitors and genealogists would love to see inside these churches where their ancestors once worshiped. However, so many, as I know from my correspondence over many years, are on such a tight schedule that it would be impossible to return on specific Sunday to see such churches when they are open for regular worship. It has to be a terribly frustrating for them to be within a few feet of seeing inside such churches having travelled thousands of miles to see the interior of the place where their ancestors may have been baptised or married. The Nave and Chancel, with large king posts supporting the roof, are Early English and in the exterior walls there are several roman tiles suggesting earlier settlements in the area. This small Church, like nearby Badlesmere, is of a simple construction with its Nave and Chancel but also has a small Northern Aisle which is now used by a local play group. When other churches were having towers added to them in the 14th and 15th Centuries, both Leaveland and Baddlesmere missed out and this may well have been as the result of a lcak of income. The area around both churches is still fairly sparsely populated and one has to wonder how the local Vicars have managed to fill the pews for normal Sunday services. As can be seen from the picture at the top of the page, there is a small bellcote at the West end in lieu of a tower and the single bell dates from 1581.