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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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



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Scotter - St Peter

Scotter - St Peter (by Jonathan Billinger source)

Our beautiful church has parts dating back to the 11th century, and unique 17th century ‘Ringers Rhymes’. Bell ringers will be in the church on both days, giving short demonstration sessions with a chance to try your hand at bell ringing (suitable 10yrs upwards). For a small fee, the able bodied can climb the tower to view the bells and our 1848 James Harrison clock in its original case, complete with interesting notation and graffiti. Plant sale Saturday. 

Postcode: DN21 3RZ click here to find on Google Maps

Visit our page on ExploreChurches.org here
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-peter-scotter


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

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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

Glentworth • St Michael

Glentworth St Michael (photo provided by the church)

St Michael’s church is a superb late 11th century church with a stained glass window by Charles Kempe in the Saxon tower. It has a fine marble tomb of Sir Christopher Wray, Chief Justice of England during Elizabeth I’s reign, with his wife and children and is an Elizabethan gem. Three of his children played leading roles in the spread of puritan ideas between 1600 and 1620 and were associated with the Mayflower Pilgrims that sailed to America from Boston.

Glentworth St Michael - Photo David Hitchborne Source

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

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Visit us on Explorechurches
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-michael-glentworth

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

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

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.

Willoughton • St Andrew

Willoughton • St Andrew
(photo by Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

The church was partially rebuilt in 1794. A new West End Tower and Nave were built on to the 13th century Chancel. It was a typical George III church with a gallery at the West end and box pews. These have been swept away with the subsequent Victorian restoration in 1888, leaving behind the church seen today. 

The remains of the Nicholas Sutton Tomb in the Sanctuary and the blocked up medieval perpendicular two-light window in the South wall of the chancel are the only surviving evidence of the earlier church.

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

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

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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

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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.

Upton cum Kexby • All Saints

A jigsaw church of many periods from Anglo-Saxon to Victorian. There will be a display of kneelers. Please note car parking will not be available in the Rose and Crown car park but available in cemetery car park in Church Road.

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

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 10.30am - 4pm • Sunday 11am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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

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.

Scotton • St Genewys

Scotton • St Genewys
(photo David Wright, Creative Commons Link)

“A celebration of different crafts and skills by local people” - come along and admire their talents. Guided visits to our tower roof will be available if conditions allow; 2-4pm on Saturday and Sunday, or by arrangement. Music during the weekend. Wall memorial to John Morley, Rector 1711-1731, a patron of John Wesley. Hatchment of Fredricks’ family; sometime Lord of the Manor, patron and Baronet of Burood.

 
Postcode: DN21 3RB, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 11am - 4pm

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Visit us on ExploreChurches:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-genewys-scotton

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

Pilham • All Saints

Pilham - Copyright Churches Festival - Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Believed to be one of the smallest churches in England to include a vestry and apse. Comments from visitors often use the words ‘quaint’, ‘peaceful’, ‘charming’, stunning’, ‘small but perfect’. We keep displays compact to let the building speak for itself but there will be flowers and some church records available for visitors to look through.

Pilham - Copyright Churches Festival - Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Postcode: DN21 3NU, 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 Explore Churches
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/all-saints-pilham

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

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Northorpe • St John the Baptist

Northorpe • St John the Baptist
(photo Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

Standing on a mound in the centre of the village our church is an unknown gem. The capitals of the sturdy pillars are decorated with scallops, all different. There are intriguing masons marks on one of them, a 1498 incised slab, a 1595 brass and a medieval altar stone.

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

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

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-john-baptist-northorpe

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

Morton • St Paul

Morton St Paul and its labyrinth

St Paul’s welcomes visitors to view its fine collection of ten windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones who worked on them with William Morris, which is our privilege to share with you. Also a font of Frosterley marble surmounted by a fine carved canopy and an Augustus Gern organ built in 1891. The organ case is a wonderful piece of craftsmanship. Follow in the footsteps of St Paul, walk the labyrinth and enjoy tea, coffee and homemade cakes.

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Morton • St Paul
(photo Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

Postcode: DN21 3AD

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-paul-morton

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

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Knaith • St Mary

St Mary's Knaith, photograph by Eddy Overson

Described as “odd, but delightful with stunning views of the River Trent”, St Mary’s curious appearance reflects an intriguing and calamitous history. The church dates from c1330 and has interesting features including a superb Gothic font, a fine Jacobean pulpit complete with tester, medieval pew ends, and an unusual altar Baldacchino among many other amazing artefacts. A free guided tour is available with tales of naughty nuns, civil war intrigue and fabulous fortunes won, lost and given away.. 

St Mary’s English Decorated period Gothic font has been described thus:
“This very splendid font is we think altogether the handsomest we ever saw…”

Postcode: DN21 5PE, 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-knaith

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

Kirton in Lindsey • St Andrew

Kirton in Lindsey • St Andrew
(photo Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

The church is Norman/Early English and Grade I listed. The stone font, stained glass windows, bell ringing chamber and restored chancel are of particular interest. Local history display.

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

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 10am - 4.30pm • Sunday 12.30pm - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-andrew-kirton-lindsey

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

Heapham • All Saints

Heapham • All Saints
(Photo Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

On entry to the church path, very visible on the original tower is a keyhole window. Set in a picturesque setting, this delightful church has the remains of a Saxon cross very close to the south facing door as well as having features of Norman arches. Another very interesting feature are the two upside faces carved out on one of the pillars. There is graffiti dating between 11th and 13th century as well as other interesting features.

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

Open: 13th-14th May, Saturday 11am - 3pm • Sunday 11am - 3pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:

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

Click here to LIKE us on Facebook or click here to FOLLOW us on Twitter and help spread the word about the festival.

Grayingham • St Radegund

Grayingham • St Radegund
(photo David Wright, Creative Commons Link)

Visit and find out about St Radegund, one of only five churches in England dedicated to her. Did your ancestors attend Grayingham school which closed 100 years ago? All the school records from the archives. Many church archives records too. Grayingham wedding photographs back to 1930s. Stained glass windows to a Victorian rectors’ family and the Peele family. Play the Benjamin Flight organ. Food all day, baps filled with local produce, home made cakes, plus our special blueberry scones.

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

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

Open: 13-14th May, Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-radegund-grayingham

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

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Gainsborough • Friends Meeting House

Gainsborough • Friends Meeting House
(Photo John Hall, Flickr Link, License Link)

The Meeting House in Market Street is a touchingly simple building dating from 1704, with a few later additions, mainly 19th century. It remains simple but with a powerful feeling of history, of prayer and of silence. The garden is an oasis in the middle of busy Gainsborough. Visit us and share its atmosphere of peace, talk to us about the experience of being a Quaker and find out the history of Quakerism in Lincolnshire.

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

Open: 13th May, Saturday ONLY 10am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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