East Midlands St Andrew's Church, Kirton in Lindsey, North Lincolnshire

Kirton Lindsey is a small rural town on the Lincoln Cliff with views across the Trent Valley. Now completely overlooked by the larger and more important settlements of Scunthorpe and Brigg, it was once an important local settlement, especially during Saxon times. The name means ‘town of the church’ .

Unfortunately there is little information available on the history of the town and its church as all records were destroyed during World War Two.

The church sits on a mound at the bottom of the town, surrounded by its grave yard.

The Saxon church may have been built on the site of a Roman temple.

In the C7th the manor and surrounding area was owned by King Edwin of Mercia and St Paulinus preached here.

After the Norman Conquest, the manor and land passed to William the Conqueror. The Manor was often gifted to Nobles but always passed back to the crown on their death. Only King John and Edward I are known to have visited. (King John’s face along with that of his queen, Isabella are carved between the chancel arches.) The Prince Regent sold the Manor to pay for his gambling debts, although Kirton in Lindsey remainsl part of the Duchy of Cornwall.

In 1140, the Saxon church was replaced by a much more impressive stone church. The building stone is limestone brought here from Ancaster, forty miles south. This is an indication of the importance and status of Kirton Lindsey at the time and thisis also reflected in the carving especially of the heads on the windows.

There is little evidence of the Saxon church - possibly the stone based of the pillars in the north arcade. The lovely Celtic work tympanum above the priest’s door in the south wall is now thought to be the same date as the church rather than a survivor of the Saxon church as previously thought.

The church was finished in the early C12th with the massive tower built in the C13th. This was strengthened in the C15th with additional buttresses and the battlements and pinnacles were added then. It still contains eight bells and is popular with bell ringers.

The west door was traditionally the main entrance to the church and is decorated with dog tooth carving.

The north and south aisle along with the clerestory were added in the C15th.

At one time there were three tithe barns and the remains of one, now converted into a house, can be seen below the church.

The church was in a very poor condition by the late C19th and in need of massive restoration. The chancel and chancel arch were completely rebuilt. The north porch and vestry were added and the south porch turned into a baptistry.

The base of the tower was opened up again to reveal the bell ringing chamber. The organ at the end of the north aisle dates from then.

The church is massive, much larger than needed by a settlement of the size of Kirton Lindsey. It is now part of a local ecumenical partnership and shared with the Methodist and Baptist Churches. Wooden pews have been replaced by chairs. The Baptist Church across the road is now the Parish Hall.

The church is open Wednesday mornings from 10-12 following a short service of morning prayer. There are keyholders who will open the church is asked. There is a guide book available in the church.

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[Eleanor]

Inside St Andrew's Church

The first impression is size. This was a large and important church.

(This plan is taken from the guide book in the church.)

At the back of the nave is an impressive double arch leading into the base of the tower with the bell ringing chamber above it.

The round pillars of the north arcade are set on massive bases and it has been suggested these could have been part of the wall of the Saxon church. They have beautifully carved capitals. At the end of the north aisle is the organ.

The octagonal pillars of the south arcade are slightly later.

The chancel arch dates from the C19th rebuild and replaced the earlier rood screen.

The roundels in the east window are by Clayton and Bell and depict the life of Christ as well as St Andrew on his saltire and the martyrdom of Thomas a Becket.

Between the pillars of the south arcade is the C13th effigy of a knight. This is thought to be that of Sir Gilbert Waterhouse who served Henry III. It is much eroded having been discovered buried under the floor of the tower during the C19th restoration.

At the end of the south aisle is the Lady Chapel. The stained glass window depicts St Andrew.

This contains the original stone altar complete with its five consecration crosses which again was discovered buried beneath the floor. The radiator is cleverly designed with a series of crosses along the top to complement the altar.

The south porch is now the Baptistry Chapel.

The font is at the back of the south aisle. The bowl is older than the pillar it now stands on. Standards hang from the walls.

There is are memorials to 136 Squadron and also to the dead from World War Two on the south wall.

The wood pulpit is from the C19th restoration of the church.

This is a very attractive church. Although there is little factual information surviving about it, it is well loved by the community who are justifiably proud of its history and heritage. It is worth searching out.

Kirton Lindsey repays walking round as it has a lot of the original stone buildings. There are details of a town trail here and also an interactive trail.