Church Heritage Record 621283

The church is situated at the west end of the village, standing in what was once the northern bailey of a Norman motte and bailey castle; remains of the motte (mound) and surrounding ditches can be seen to the south of the church.

A plaque on the wall over the baptistry states ‘This church was repaired and enlarged in the year 1844 by which means 260 additional sittings were obtained; and in consequence of a grant from the incorporated society “For Promoting the Enlargement Building and Repairing of Churches and Chapels” 200 of that number are hereby declared to be free and unappropriated for ever – the provision of church room previously to the alteration being to the extent of 200 sittings, 150 of which are free. W B Stonehouse, Vicar. William Rayner, Richard Fletcher, Church Wardens.’

From 1820 to 1862 the Rev. William Brocklehurst Stonehouse M.A., D.C.L. was vicar of the church. He also served as Archdeacon of Stow from 1844 to 1862. Together with his wife, Elizabeth, and his sister-in-law Francis Sandars he made many additions to the church and village.

The south aisle is the oldest part of the present church with 15th century windows added. The north aisle windows are the same period but re-used when the aisle was rebuilt in 1844 using yellow ‘London’ brick. The tower dates from the 14th century. The vestry dates from 1823 and in 1835 an organ was placed in a loft in the tower. In 1840 the church porch was replaced, probably of similar design to the original. The Gothic triple archway at the entrance to the church grounds was erected in 1859. The church comprises a late 13th century south arcade, 14th to 15th century north arcade, tower, south aisle, chancel and north aisle windows.

The nave was re-roofed and south clerestory windows infilled around the 1780s. The South porch was added in 1840 and the north aisle/choir vestry rebuilt in 1844 and a new vestry was added in the late 19th century.

The tower and south porch are of limestone ashlar, the nave, chancel and south aisle are probably rubble and covered with pebbledash. This pebbledash was removed in 2012 to 2013 to enable repairs to be carried out to walls before being finished with a rough lime render in 2013. The north aisle and choir vestry are of yellow brick in English bond.

Restorations carried out between 1897 and 1899 included reseating and refurnishing the chancel.

The aisled nave contains 4 bays with a south porch and a wide north aisle extends full length of the nave and the 3-bay chancel, with a choir vestry, now incorporating the organ chamber. The nave has a pine board ceiling of 1780s with large blind tracery motifs with the north aisle having a ceiling consisting of joists and moulded tie beams on corbelled wall posts. The chancel has 1780s king-post roof with open traceried panels.

Also in the chancel are several monuments. These comprise black marble floorslabs in the sanctuary to Henry Masterman of 1674, with Latin inscription and roundel containing arms and achievement in relief; to John Pindar (d 1703) and wife Anne (d 1718) with roundel containing arms and achievement in relief; inscribed slab to John Pindar of 1776; black marble slabs in choir to Darcy Stanhope of 1681/2, with Latin inscription, roundel containing arms and achievement in relief, and pair of relief roundels at foot containing skull and crossed bones; to John Stanhope of 1705, with further inscriptions to Rev Robert Pindar (d 1795); to Thomas Pindar of 1813. Series of ornate Gothic-style marble wall monuments in chancel with crocketed niches, buttress shafts etc: to Edward Peart of 1824; to Gervas Woodhouse and wife Elizabeth of c1843; to Cornelius Sanders, wife Elizabeth and daughter Frances, of c1868, by A Shaw of Hull. A Floorslab behind the organ is to Mary Burton of 1723 with carved Rococo ornament. Other monuments include a marble wall tablet in the south aisle to Edward Peart of 1795 with inscribed oval panel, paterae, moulded cornice and apron with fluted pilasters hung with guttae; large Gothic-style wall monument to John Littlewood of 1821, with pedestal and tablet in corbelled niche with crocketed ogee hood; late 18 century/ early 19th century floorslabs in the south aisle to Littlewood and Maw families.

There is a stained-glass east window of 1836 by Thomas Ward of Lincoln and also stained-glass north aisle windows of 1847 by Wailes of Newcastle.

There is a gothic-style 7-bay chancel screen of 1913 by H G Gamble of Lincoln, with Perpendicular tracery, coved hood and rood above with carved wooden figures.

A medieval mensa slab reset as an altar can be found in the south aisle. This was discovered during Victorian restoration work. The stone bears the five crosses which would be anointed by the priest during Mass.

The baptistry contains a 19 century Gothic-style octagonal font brought from Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. The royal arms of Queen Anne, of 1707-14 are hung on the wall of the north aisle. An inscribed board in the choir vestry records a bequest of Edward Otter, 1710. An original 19th century carved octagonal font is sited in the south porch.