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

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

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Visit us on ExploreChurches:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-helen-saxby

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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: 18-19th 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

Owmby by Spital • St Peter & St Paul

Owmby by Spital • St Peter & St Paul
(photo by David Wright, Creative Commons Link)

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 ‘Village timeline’.

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

Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 10am - 5pm • Sunday 10am - 4.30pm.

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-peter-st-paul-owmby-spital

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

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. Exhibition of Northorpe memories.

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

Open: 18-19th 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.

Langworth • St Hugh

Langworth • St Hugh
(photo by Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

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, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 10am-4pm • Sunday 10am-4pm.

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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. 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: 18-19th 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.

Kettlethorpe • St Peter & St Paul

Kettlethorpe • St Peter & St Paul
(Photo Richard Croft, Creative Commons Link)

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, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 10am - 4pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm

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Greetwell • All Saints

Greetwell - Copyright Churches Festival*

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, click here to find on Google Maps


Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 2pm to 4pm • Sunday 2pm to 4pm

Greetwell - Copyright Churches Festival*

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

Click this link to view and download the PDF of the trail 

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).

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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* Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Glentham • St Peter & Our Lady

Glentham • St Peter & Our Lady
(photo David Wright, Creative Commons Link)

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, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 10am-4pm • Sunday 10am-4pm.

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

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Gainsborough • Quaker Meeting House

 Quaker Meeting House (image West Lindsey District Council)

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: 18th May, Saturday ONLY 10am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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

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...

View from the churchyard  - St Peter & St Paul*

Postcode: LN3 4AB, click here to find on Google Maps

Open:  18-19th May, Saturday 10am-4pm • Sunday 12noon-4pm

* Photographs by Ashley Taylor of Push Creativity for the festival

Get Involved and Spread the Word!
Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Burton • St Vincent

Burton • St Vincent
(photo Richard Croft, Creative Commons link)

The church is dedicated to St Vincent of Saragosa, a Spanish saint and martyr who died in 304AD. The church was rebuilt in 1795 and contains a gallery for the Monson family complete with a fireplace to keep the then Lord Monson warm as he suffered from gout. The gallery contains three sets of Coronation Chairs which are loaned from the Monson family.

Postcode: LN1 2RD, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 10am-5pm • Sunday 10am-5pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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

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.

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

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches

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

Click these links to find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
 
*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Southrey • St John the Divine

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Down a country lane which leads to the river Witham stands the unique little church of St John’s. Made up of bits and pieces from other churches it offers a place of peace and reflection for all visitors. This year the inside will be adorned with flowers and different forms of art covering Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

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: 11-12th May, Saturday 9am - 4pm • Sunday 9am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches

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

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

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

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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

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

Snarford • St Lawrence

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Nothing about the rather unremarkable exterior of this small medieval church prepares you for the breathtaking surprise of the interior. St Lawrence has some of the most spectacular memorial sculptures in Lincolnshire. The largest, from the 1580s, features life-size figures of Sir Thomas St Paul and his wife, members of a dynasty of rich lawyer politicians. Sir Thomas  reclines, dressed in armour with a gold chain round his neck, his wife lies beside him elegantly dressed with a ruff and head dress.

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Nearby the Jacobean Sir George reclines with his formidable wife Lady France and their only child, the tragic Mattathia.  

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Lady Frances appears again with her second husband, the unsavoury Earl of Warwick.

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

The church is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.

Their page on this church

https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/st-lawrence-snarford.html

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

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

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-lawrence-snarford

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

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Rand • St Oswald

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

                     
St Oswald’s is surrounded by a deserted medieval village site. Inside is a surprising number of notable monuments, both in brass and stone, dating from the 14th - 16th century. Outstanding is a rare coped stone coffin lid, believed to date from between the 10th and 12th centuries. Information on church history, brass rubbing, cake stall.

The rare coped stone coffin lid

Rand • St Oswald 
(photo Ian Paterson, Creative Commons Link)

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

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

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-oswald-rand

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

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity