Sixhills • All Saints

All Saints church is a Grade II listed building standing in a picturesque location on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, with a wonderful view.
The village has associations with Gilbert of Semperingham through the Gilbertine Priory. The church was rebuilt in the late 1860s - 1875 by James Fowler of Louth. 
Light refreshments will be available throughout the day.

Postcode: LN8 3RL click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 20-21st May - Saturday 11am - 4pm • Sunday 11am - 4pm

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Blyborough • St Alkmund

Blyborough - St Alkmund by  Ian S and
 licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

St Alkmund Church is a Grade 1 Listed Building. A church at Blyborough is mentioned in the Domesday Book. St Alkmund’s is set in a delightful churchyard full of wild flowers, sloping down to the ornamental lake of Blyborough Hall. The Georgian tower is decorated with reused medieval gargoyles. One of them of an eagle with a woman’s face, looks straight at you as you walk up the churchyard path! Inside the church, much more is preserved of the ancient building, including a tall Early English three bay north arcade with circular piers, keeled responds, stiff leaf capitals and double chamfered arches.

Postcode: DN21 4HE, click here to find on Google Maps

Visit this church's page on the Explore Churches website here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-alkmund-blyborough

Open: 13th-14th May, Saturday 11am-4pm Sunday 11am-4pm

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Hainton • St Mary

Hainton St Mary - Photo by David Wright (source)

An estate church of Anglo-Saxon origins, rebuilt in the 13th and 14th centuries and sympathetically restored in the 19th century. The spire was suggested by Capability Brown when he redesigned the park. Inside, there is a “nationally important” series of monuments to the Heneage Family, from a brass of 1435 to a modern memorial of 1954, providing an illustrated history of monumental styles. They are unusual because of the time span for one family. Light refreshments available throughout the day.

Postcode: LN8 6LS, click here to find on Google Maps.

Open 20-21st May, Saturday 10am-4pm • Sunday 11am-4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Visit this church's page on ExploreChurches website here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-mary-hainton

Swallow - Holy Trinity

Swallow - Holy Trinity
Copyright John Firth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Built over many centuries from 11th to 19th, Holy Trinity is a small village church with a traditional layout. This year’s theme will be the history of Swallow Village, with copies of that history on sale. 

Postcode: LN7 6DL click here to find on Google Maps

Visit our page on ExploreChurches here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/holy-trinity-swallow

Open: 20-21st May - Saturday 9am - 5pm • Sunday 9am - 5pm

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Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Market Rasen - Holy Rood

Make a note that music is our theme! Local people, including children, will play and sing pieces ranging from Swing, Folk, Violin, Cello, Introduction to Plain Chant… and not forgetting good all fashioned Sing-a-Longs for all ages. You are most welcome to join in or sit with a tea and cake and enjoy the music. Oh, and there’s a quiz too! The Sixhills Cope and other items of interest will be on display. Check our website for times etc.

Postcode: LN8 3BB click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 20-21st May - Saturday 10.30am - 5pm, Sunday 12.30pm - 5pm

Visit our page on ExploreChurches here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/holy-rood-market-rasen

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Linwood - St Cornelius

Linwood - St Cornelius*    Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Home of the Lynwode Family, two brasses of National Importance dedicated to the family, birthplace of William Lynwood, author of Provinciale, consolidation of chancery law used as a reference worldwide. The only church dedicated to St Cornelius with 13th stained glass windows, a medieval moat exists around part of the church. A royal deer park was situated near the church. Grade one listed with grade two cross. One of the few spired church towers in the county.

Postcode: LN8 3QQ  click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 20th May - Saturday ONLY 10.30am-4pm

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Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

*Photograph by Ashley Taylor of Push Creativity

Willingham by Stow - St Helen

Willingham by Stow, St Helen (by Richard Croft, source)

There will be displays in church, our theme is ‘Music’, displays and information on local musicians. Saturday afternoon there will be a musical workshop, free and open to all ages. Saturday evening a musical concert and Sunday afternoon a service with music/sounds that mean something to local people to close the weekend. Bacon/sausage baps served in the morning, tea, coffee and cake served all day.

 Postcode: DN21 5JY, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Visit our page on ExploreChurches.org here:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-helen-willingham-stow



Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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Coates by Stow • St Edith

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

The glory of St Edith’s is its medieval woodwork. Magnificent rood screen with its loft and oak boarded tympanum dominates the church. It is the only surviving example in Lincolnshire.

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Almost every century has made a distinctive contribution to the structure, a testimony to the many people whose spiritual home it has been. Amazingly it escaped the ravages of the Reformation and rebellion, aided, no doubt by the moated situation. 

The Church is an architectural gem, an oasis of peace and serenity located in the midst of a busy, working farm. 

It is a living place of worship with regular services.

The church's own website can be found here: http://www.stedithscoates.co.uk/

Postcode: LN1 2DW click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 13th-14th May, Saturday 11am - 6pm • Sunday 9am - 6pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-edith-coates-stow

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Messingham - Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity - Messingham by Richard Croft (source)

A Grade II* listed church, greatly restored in the early 19th century, including the installation of an extensive collection of medieval stained glass by Revd. H.V. Bayley working in collaboration with architect Edward Willson. Be a church explorer and enjoy our family and heritage trails and related activities. Please see our website for further details.
www.holytrinitymessingham.co.uk

Postcode: DN17 3SF, click here to find on Google Maps

Visit our church on ExploreChurches here:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/holy-trinity-messingham


Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 12noon - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Sudbrooke - St Edward

Sudbrooke - St Edward (photo J Thomas Creative Commons License

View this grade II Iisted building by John Dobson of Newcastle with its unusual blue starred ceiling in the apse. The church was modelled on the Norman church of All Saints, Steetley in Derbyshire.

Postcode: LN2 2QH, click here to find on Google Maps

Open 13-14th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Wragby - Methodist

Wragby Methodist Church - Photo Richard Croft (Creative Commons License)

The present building was built in 1874. The organ was dedicated as the village’s war memorial in 1921 in memory of those who died in WWI and names of those who died in WWII were added. There will be scarecrows around the village and within the church.

 
Postcode: LN8 5RA, click here to find on Google Maps

Visit our chapel on ExploreChurches here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/wragby-methodist-church-wragby

Open: 20-21st May, Saturday 10.am - 4.30pm • Sunday 12noon - 4.30pm

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Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Rothwell - St Mary Magdalene

Rothwell - St Mary Magdalene - Photo Richard Croft (Creative Commons License)

The church was refurbished around 1892 under John & Sedding and H Wilson Architects. A peal of three bells installed 1849. Rehung by Warners of Whitechapel. The cracked middle bell is 15th century. Re-cast treble bell dated 1613. A Forster & Andrews organ installed 1901. Stained glass windows from Burlinson & Grylls, dated 1921, also Glenn Carter, dated 1992. 

 

Display of flowers on theme of Baptism and Baptism Gowns. Hymns and Pimms Service on Sunday at 4pm. Teddy parachute jumping from the tower on Saturday at 3pm.
 
Postcode: LN7 6BB, click here to find on Google Maps

Visit us on ExploreChurches here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-mary-magdalene-rothwell

Open 20-21st May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Gainsborough United Reformed Church

Gainsborough United Reformed Church - Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

The church was built in 1897 as a memorial to John Robinson, pastor of the Mayflower Pilgrims. We hold a permanent Pilgrim exhibition in our Mayflower Room. The two manual pipe organ built in 1903 by Forster and Andrews is listed by the British Institute of Organ Studies as an instrument of national heritage importance.

The Mayflower Room - Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

The two manual pipe organ built in 1903 by Forster and Andrews -

 Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

The church has its own website which can be visited here: Gainsborough United Reformed Church.

Postcode: DN21 2JR, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 14-15th May, Saturday 10am - 3pm • Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on exploreChurches:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/gainsborough-urc-gainsborough

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Tealby • All Saints

Tealby All Saints, photo by Gary Brothwell, source

Have a go at ringing our church bells. Our theme is ‘The Bells’. Explore our floral arrangements and everything on display. Explore how we have grown to rely on bells and their everyday uses in our lives. Enjoy a fresh homemade lunch in this Grade I listed building, surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Postcode: LN8 3XW, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 20-21st May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 12noon - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/all-saints-tealby

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Get the latest news about the festival on email - subscribe to our newsletter - it's free and easy to do, and easy to cancel if you change your mind. Click here to Subscribe to The Churches Festival Blog by Email.

Kirkby cum Osgodby • St Andrew

Photograph by Richard Croft, source.

Please note this church is open in 2023, but was not listed in the brochure.

An attractive and interesting medieval church with late Georgian/early Victorian elements containing two very impressive, intricately carved medieval tombs of a local knight and his wife, medieval/tudor bells and a charming organ of unknown provenance which is available to be played.

Refreshments available. No toilets.

Postcode: LN8 3PE, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 20-21st May, Saturday 10am-5pm • Sunday 10am-5pm.

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-andrew-kirkby-cum-osgodby

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Nettleham • All Saints

Nettleham All Saints - Copyright Churches Festival - Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Dating from Saxon times we have many beautiful stained glass windows, including the Hayward East Window. Wall paintings and Bodley and Garner ceilings can be seen. Beside the beck, we are a living, thriving church with many and varied activities, central to village life and a place for quiet contemplation and prayer. Heritage and school input. Informal Concert 11am 13th May by Lincolnshire Branch of the Society of Recorder Players’.

Nettleham All Saints Interior - Copyright Churches Festival - Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Resurrected Christ among fields and burning stubble, by John Hayward, 1971. -

There's more information available at http://www.nettleham-all-saints.org.uk/

Postcode: LN2 2PD, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 12noon - 4pm.

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/all-saints-nettleham

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Gainsborough - St Thomas of Canterbury

St Thomas of Canterbury (church's own image)

Hidden gem of church on Cross Street built in 1866. Church is decorated in Pugin style. Parking at nearby Marshall’s Yard and North Street Car Park. Information about a forgotten school, war memorial display, costume display and information about a pioneering scientist know as the ‘Mother of Freshwater Ecology’. Refreshments include tea, coffee and cake.

Parking in nearby Marshall’s Yard Retail Park.

Visit the church's own website here: St Thomas Gainsborough

Postcode: DN21 2AX, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 9am - 5pm • Sunday 9am - 5pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-thomas-canterbury-gainsborough

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Waddingham • St Mary & St Peter

Waddingham • St Mary & St Peter
(photo Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

Situation is east of main village on a high mound; a very peaceful location. Originally two churches stood here but now only this one remains. Stations of the Cross are mounted on the walls around the church. (History of the church leaflets available and graveyard plans also available).

The church has its own website here: 

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/14904/

Postcode: DN21 4SU, click here to find on Google Maps.

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches: 
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-mary-st-peter-waddingham

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Spridlington • St Hilary

Spridlington • St Hilary
(Photo by Brian, Creative Commons Link)

Enclosed by tall horse chestnut trees, St Hilary’s is an unusual late Victorian church designed by James Fowler of Louth in 1873. Look for the high tower with saddleback roof, the stained glass windows (particularly the Nativity scenes in the West window) and the Victorian woodwork in the chancel. The beautiful restored Thomas Nicholson organ is a point of interest. We have guided tours both days at 2pm. Tours take 30-40 minutes.

Pipes of the restored Thomas Nicholson Organ

Postcode: LN8 2DE, click here to find on Google Maps 

Open: 13th-14May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-hilary-spridlington

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Snitterby • St Nicholas

Snitterby • St Nicholas
(photo by David Wright, Creative Commons Link)

Our church is a little gem because it has several unique features. It has a stone exterior and a warm brick interior typical of James Fowler (rebuilt in 1866). The tower was rebuilt in 1894. Recent tower restoration work in 2022. Visit us and enjoy a warm welcome and light refreshments in our lovely church. Cake stall and book stall.

Postcode: DN21 4TY, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 10am - 5pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

visit us on ExploreChurches:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-nicholas-snitterby

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.