THE VICTORIAN EXPANSION

In 1840 a railway station opened in Kirby, and shortly afterwards many Leicester businessmen built houses in Kirby Fields. The population of the parish began to increase dramatically, and so too did the money available for church furnishings. Many of these businessmen were nonconformists, but they still contributed generously towards a church for their servants.

A restoration programme costing £1000 took place in 1848-50, under the Leicester architect Henry Goddard. The church was re-roofed (with Swithland slate) and the north wall of the nave rebuilt in blue Derbyshire stone. New pews were installed and also a new pulpit, with wrought iron decoration painted to look like carved wood.

The first organ was installed in 1853, and opened on 1st December that year. 

In 1856 a stone reredos was bought by public subscription. It shows the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Apostles' Creed, with the Paschal Lamb in the centre behind the altar.

In 1858 the large west and east windows both received new stained glass, given by T.H. Pares of the Leicestershire banking family, who lived at Kirby Frith. The east window contained three scenes from the life of Christ ; the Crucifixion in the central panel, flanked by the Nativity and the Baptism of Christ. The two side panels are now in the south chancel window. The West window showed the four gospel writers.

At the Census of 1851 Kirby had a population of 335, plus 81 in Leicester Forest East. At the morning service on 30th March 1851, there was an attendance of 66, with 50 at Sunday school. In 1859, 110 services were held with 22 weekday services during Lent, and Holy Communion was celebrated monthly.

In 1891-2 a small vestry was added to the north of the chancel, a tessilated floor laid in the Sanctuary, and the tower modified, at a total cost of £300.

The walnut eagle lectern was given in 1892 in memory of “Henry Hitchcock of Leicester”. (His younger son Joseph was a coal merchant who lived in Kirby Fields.) Henry was a great-grandson of the Hitchcocks of the Red Cow in Leicester Forest East, and he worked the North Mill on the River Soar.