The Normanton church, with semi-circular portico and tower, was built in 1826-9 and was designed by Thomas Cundy, then architect to the Grosvenor estate in Westminster.
The original site of Normanton Church (St Matthew's Church as it was once known) would have placed it below the proposed water line of the Rutland Water Reservoir. Prior to completion of the reservoir, the flood level of the Normanton church was raised and placed above the water level on a pier of stones. The masonry was treated for water and a causeway was built to provide access to the church. As a result of the Rutland Water Reservoir, the church is now surrounded by water. The church now houses a museum showing the history of the reservoir, including fossils from pre-historic reptiles and a video of its' construction.
Rutland Water was built in the 1970's to supply water to the growing populations and industry in the East Midlands utilising water from the lower reaches of the Nene and Welland. It was one of 64 sites which were investigated at a time when other options such as barrage across the Wash were rejected. Planning and consultation took ten years ending with the 'Empingham Reservoir Act 1979. Construction of pumping stations, tunnels, pipelines, dam and the treatment works started in 1972 and took five years, the reservoir was filled over three years between 1975 and 1978. In 1976 the project's name was changed from Empingham Reservoir to Rutland Water in response to local views
The Church now stands proudly by the side of Rutland Water and houses a museum and exhibition on the building of the reservoir which is open to the public from April to October.
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Updated: October 9, 2004
