Bedfordshire 
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Nearby churches
HEATH, a joint chapelry with Reach, in the parish of LEIGHTON-BUZZARD, hundred of MANSHEAD, county of BEDFORD, 2 miles (N. by E.) from Leighton-Buzzard, containing 726 inhabitants. It is within the peculiar ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Prebendary of Leighton-Buzzard in the Cathedral Church of Lincoln. The church, dedicated to St. Leonard, has recently received an addition of sixty sittings, of which forty are free, the Incorporated Society for the enlargement of churches and chapels having contributed £100 towards defraying the expense. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists.
REACH, a joint chapelry with Heath, in the parish of LEIGHTON-BUZZARD, hundred of MANSHEAD, county of BEDFORD, 2 miles (N. by E.) from Leighton-Buzzard. The population is returned with Heath. It is within the peculiar ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Prebendary of Leighton-Buzzard in the Cathedral Church of Lincoln.
[A Topographical Dictionary of England - Samuel Lewis - 1831]
The 1851 Census Index for Heath and Reach can be found in the 1851 Index to Census of Bedfordshire, Volume 6, Book 1 available from the Bedfordshire Family History Society.
Church of England
The church of St. Leonard, rebuilt with the exception of the tower, in 1829, is a plain building in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, south porch, and a low embattled western tower containing one bell; the chancel was added, and the whole church newly seated in 1866. The earlier register is included in that of Leighton Buzzard, which dates from 1562: there is a separate register from the year 1813.
[Kelly's Directory - Bedfordshire - 1898]
Non-conformist
There is a Baptist chapel, a Primitive Methodist chapel; built in 1863, and a Wesleyan chapel, built in 1877.
[Kelly's Directory - Bedfordshire - 1898]
Church of England
The parish record transcripts for St. Leonard can be found in the registers of Leighton Buzzard and these are available on microfiche for the period 1562-1812 from the Bedfordshire Family History Society.
Kevin Quick has provided a transcription of the Domesday Book entry for Heath and Reach
Kevin Quick has provided a description of the origins of the name Heath and Reach.
Kevin Quick has provided population statistics for Heath and Reach for the period 1801-1891
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[Last updated 20 June 2003 Martin Edwards]