St. Andrew's is a fine building, the main construction periods dating
from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. 
This image shows the view from the back of the nave.

The east window provides a stunning backdrop for worship
and it dominates the general atmosphere of the whole space.
It dates from 1936.

Individual features catch the eye, such as this funny rough corbel,

dating from the 14th century.

More recently, our beautiful icon of Mary, Our Lady of Compassion,

was completed in 2004. It provides a prayerful image next to the stand for individuals to light candles.

Visit our panorama view at:
http://www.aylestonechurches.org.uk/standrews/panorama.asp

Visit our Virtual Tour at:
http://www.aylestonechurches.org.uk/standrews/virtualtour.asp

The church has been described as "a harmonious blend of Early English and Decorated work".  The oldest parts of the buildings are the tower and the north arcade, dating from the early 13th century.  The chancel was built in the 14th century.  In the 15th century the nave roof was raised and more light let into the church by the addition of clerestory windows.  A new tower arch was built and the south arcade added.  The south porch was rebuilt in 1926 but still has a floor of 17th century herringbone brick.

Records of the Archdeacons' Visitations indicate that in 1799 the church building was "in very bad repair".  However by 1842 it was in a better state.  Extensive alterations and restoration work began in 1894.  The chancel roof was repaired, wood blocks replaced the old red brick floor and the nave was reseated in pitch pine.  The organ was moved from the tower arch to the chancel and the choir gallery was removed altogether. 

At the end of the twentieth century, in line with modern liturgical developments, a central worship area was created.  In 1999 the Bishop of Leicester dedicated new furnishings and a modern theatrical lighting system.  To mark the millennium the medieval carvings in the nave roof were gilded and painted.

a medieval tongue pusher
(was it carved just for fun?)

In 2004 the font was moved to the north aisle, creating a baptistry area in front of the Nativity window in the north aisle. The font has an 11th century bowl.

In 2006 a room was built on to the north aisle, restoring the blocked up doorway from the church. This room acts as a children's area and general purpose space.