Saxby • St Helen

Saxby • St Helen
(photo by David Hitchborne, Creative Commons Link)

Click here to find and like Friends of St Helen's Facebook Page.

The church and family mausoleum is believed to have been designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown – built c1775 whilst working for Richard 4th Earl Scarborough. Brown designed several churches (including Compton Verney in Warwickshire and Combe D’Abitot in Worcestershire), whilst carrying out his landscape commissions on estates around the country. The church is a wonderful example of the classical style he used.
 

More on the Capability Brown connection here
http://brightwatergardens.co.uk/the-capability-brown-connection/

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

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

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Pilham • All Saints

Pilham - Copyright 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.

Postcode: DN21 3NU

Open: 10-11th May, Saturday 10am - 5pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Photo: Copyright Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

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*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Owmby by Spital • St Peter & St Paul

David Wright, Owmby Church, CC BY-SA 2.0

A beautiful Norman church, entrance at the base of the partly medieval tower with belfry windows. This has three bells dating from 1687, one of which is in use. 

12th century arcade separates nave from aisle, its pointed arches rest on large based pillars, some with ancient graffiti. 

Entrance archway and font are Saxon. The capitals are decorated with bold leaf carvings. Chancel and stained glass window behind the altar are later editions. 

Themed exhibitions ‘History of the villages and the churches' with items on loan from Lincoln Archives.

Postcode: LN8 2HN, 

Open: 10-11th May, Saturday 10am - 5pm • Sunday 10am - 4.30pm.

Photo: David Wright, Owmby Church, CC BY-SA 2.0

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Northorpe • St John the Baptist

Richard Croft, St.John the Baptist's church, Northorpe, CC BY-SA 2.0

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, 

Open: 10-11th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 12noon - 4pm.

Photo: Richard Croft, St.John the Baptist's church, Northorpe, CC BY-SA 2.0

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Langworth • St Hugh

Langworth, St Hugh Church, by Fr Chris Hewitt

Langworth, St Hugh Church, by Rev Penny Green

Additional to the printed brochure - but open for you to visit! 

Built 1962, in a modern style, but internally fitted out with the furnishings taken from the fire damaged estate chapel at Walmesgate, Louth. 

The plain exterior does not do justice to the charming interior, with delicately patterned walls, with trailing vines on the roof beams and a sanctuary canopied with a blend of blue, silver and gold. 

An art exhibition will be held during the weekend.

Postcode: LN3 5BD.

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

Photo: Langworth, St Hugh Church, by Fr Chris Hewitt

Photo: Langworth, St Hugh Church, by Rev Penny Green

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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. 

A free guided tour is available with tales of naughty nuns, civil war intrigue and fabulous fortunes won, lost and given away.

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 festival visitor commented on Facebook: "Our first stop this morning was St Mary's at Knaith. A small church tucked away but an absolute must to visit. Absolutely fascinating and the gentleman there gave us a little tour, pointing out so many things we would have missed on our own. My friends have been visiting churches as part of the festival for several years and said that is was one of the most interesting they had been to, especially given the gentleman's tour and stories"

Postcode: DN21 5PE

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

Photo: St Mary's Knaith, photograph by Eddy Overson

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Visit this church's website

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/14769/ 

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…”

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Kettlethorpe • St Peter & St Paul

St Peter & St Paul Church, Kettlethorpe by Ian S CC BY-SA 2.0

On this site Katherine Swynford, mistress of John of Gaunt lived and worshipped here. Come and find about their famous love affair and court scandal at the NEW Katherine exhibition. 

Also an extensive display of artistic hand crafted kneelers and the famous restored French pulpit.

St Peter & St Paul’s church holds a service most Sundays always using The Book of Common Prayer. Everyone of all ages welcome.

 
Postcode: LN1 2GZ

Open: 10-11h May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

Photo: St Peter & St Paul Church, Kettlethorpe by Ian S CC BY-SA 2.0

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Heapham • All Saints

Richard Croft, All Saints' church, CC BY-SA 2.0

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 down faces carved out on one of the pillars. There is graffiti dating between 11th and 13th century as well as other interesting features. Closed Saturday 12noon-1.30pm.

Postcode: DN21 5PT

Open: 10-11th May, Saturday 10.30am - 3.30pm • Sunday 1.20pm - 3.30pm

Photo: Richard Croft, All Saints' church, CC BY-SA 2.0

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Greetwell • All Saints

Greetwell - Photo copyright Ashley Taylor

The medieval settlement of Greetwell was established before the 11th century with 20-30 households. Up to the 15th century it was self sufficient in grain and had a dairy, a smithy, bakery, church and priest. 

Today, Greetwell flourishes with no village but a congregation from far and wide. 

Greetwell is one mile east of Lincoln on the road to Cherry Willingham.

Postcode: LN3 4NG

Open: 10-11th May, Saturday 1pm to 4pm • Sunday 1pm to 4pm

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Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity 

Greetwell - Copyright Churches Festival*

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The Stephen Langton Trail 

The Stephen Langton Trail that passes through or near six festival churches where you can stop for refreshments or even lunch, click on their names to open their pages of this site:

1. Langton 
2. Wragby
3. Apley
4. Fiskerton 
5. Greetwell 
6. Cherry Willingham

Click this link to read more at the Visit Lincoln website

A 16.5 mile walking trail from the birthplace of Archbishop Stephen Langton, key in the sealing of Magna Carta, to the historic city of Lincoln.

The Stephen Langton Trail starts at the Lincolnshire village of Langton-by-Wragby, birthplace of Archbishop Stephen Langton, and takes a meandering and picturesuqe 16.5 mile walk to historic Lincoln and Lincoln Castle, home to an original copy of the 1215 Magna Carta.

The trail is split into three sections to allow for all abilities and so the walk can be split up over a space of time:

• Section One leads from Langton-by-Wragby to Apley through the Lincolnshire Limewood Nature Reserve (4 miles)
• Section Two from Thistle Storr Wood near Apley to Fiskerton along the Viking Way (6¼ miles)
• Section Three follows the River Witham Valley from Fiskerton on a delightful riverside walk to Lincoln's Cathedral Quarter (6¼ miles).

Glentham • St Peter & Our Lady

David Wright, Glentham Church, CC BY-SA 2.0

The front porch of our church is adorned with the Tournay Arms and a rare medieval ‘pieta’, a representation of the Virgin with the dead Christ across her knees. 

We have stained glass by Whale and box pews.

Postcode: LN8 2EP

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

Photo: David Wright, Glentham Church, CC BY-SA 2.0

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Display of kneelers (photo by Angela Montague)

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Gainsborough • All Saints

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

A very different Georgian-style church with medieval tower and magnificent interior, with a copy of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper behind the altar. The organ is a three-manual Walker (1906). 

See also the beautiful stained glass, late 17th century marble font and memorial headstone of Richard Rollett, master sailmaker to Captain James Cook on HMS The Resolution, who died two hundred years ago in 1824. Guided visits into the Bell Tower.

Postcode: DN21 2JR

Open: 10-11th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 12noon - 4pm

Photo: Copyright Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity.

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Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

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*Photos: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Cherry Willingham • St Peter & St Paul

Cherry Willingham - St Peter & St Paul*

St Peter & St Paul is a wonderful example of Georgian architecture with a beautiful reredos behind the altar. 

The modern octagonal lantern was designed by Louis Osman who also designed the coronet for the Prince of Wales. 

Home made cakes, delicious scones await you...

Postcode: LN3 4AB

Open: 10-11th May, Saturday 10am-4pm • Sunday 12noon-4pm

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Photo: Copyright Ashley Taylor of Push Creativity.

View from the churchyard  - St Peter & St Paul*

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Brattleby • St Cuthbert

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

St Cuthbert’s sits in peaceful and secluded wooded grounds on the southern edge of the village. The lower section of the tower dates to the 11th century. The bells are some of the oldest in the county, installed in 1450. 

The churchyard contains the base of a listed Saxon cross, pre-dating the church and the thought provoking grave of WWII pilot Clare Connor (full story in church). the Saxon inner arch and the 14th century chancel arches show evidence of wall paintings. 

Visitors are assured of a warm welcome, with drinks and light refreshments being served, donations accepted.

A church has stood on this site for 1000 years.  The current church has been the subject of four documented restorations, 1450, 1778, 1858 and finally in 2013 at a cost of £130,000 funded by English Heritage.

Postcode: LN1 2SQ

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

Photo: Copyright Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity.

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Visit the church's own website here: Brattleby Church Website

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Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Blyton • St Martin

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Blyton church has an impressive display of the flags of the allies in WWI. They hang above arcades 6 and 7 centuries old. The chancel, although much rebuilt last century, has its original East window of about 1300, its old piscina and aumbry and a 15th century window and part of the old rood beam is still over the arch. The font, with carved panels and embattled top, is a handsome example of 15th century craftsmanship.

Postcode: DN21 3JZ

Open: 10-11th May, Saturday 9am - 6pm • Sunday 9am - 6pm

Photo: Copyright Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

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Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

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Lissington • St John the Baptist

Richard Croft, St John the Baptist's church, Lissington, CC BY-SA 2.0

A small quiet, peaceful church built in 1796 and restored in 1895. Constructed of squared ironstone and limestone rubble with brick dressing. Commandments Boards 19th century. Stained glass of Last Supper 1922. Diocletian Window on north wall.

Postcode: LN3 5AE

Open: 17th - 18th May, Saturday 9am-6pm • Sunday 9am-6pm

Photo: Richard Croft, St John the Baptist's church, Lissington, CC BY-SA 2.0

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Stainfield • St Andrew

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

‘Simply Stainfield St Andrews’ celebrates the rich heritage of this beautiful Queen Anne church set amidst picturesque parkland, on the site of a Benedictine nunnery. The Viking Way passes by the church, reputed to be designed by Christopher Wren. View the magnificent 18th century Tyrwhitt Tapestries, wonder at the local Wild Man legend, and contemplate the nunnery, church and village history in this tranquil setting. Open gardens, homemade cakes, lunches and afternoon teas available at Hill House all weekend.

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*
The Tyrwhitt Tapestries dating from 1711 permanently displayed in church,

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

Open: 17th-18th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm.

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https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-andrew-stainfield

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*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Southrey • St John the Divine

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Small peaceful, a little gem tucked away down a one-way road! Many features and history to this temporary building that has now stood for 126 years. A church that gives you a hug - take time out to sit and reflect or pray in the quiet surroundings while you enjoy tea, cake, strawberries and cream. Meet the people who upkeep and run this little rural treasure.

Stained glass window, Southrey church, Photography by
 Julian P Guffogg and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Postcode: LN3 5TA, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 17th-18th May, Saturday 10:30am - 4pm • Sunday 9am - 4pm

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https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-john-divine-southrey

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Snelland • All Saints

Snelland • All Saints 
(image Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

This beautiful atmospheric church dates back to the 12th century. It contains beautiful carved stone medieval faces and a rare ‘Leper’s window’ that enabled succour to be passed to those with leprosy who

had to stay outside the church. Ancient sundial on south elevation. Thomas Retford, vicar, courageously gave his life in the Lincolnshire Rising.

The leper's window at Snelland

Postcode: LN3 5AA, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 17th-18th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

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