Saint Andrew’s Church Stainfield in West Lindsey Lincolnshire, was reputedly designed by Sir Christopher Wren – yes, he of Saint Paul’s Cathedral fame.
Built in 1711, the church boasts many interesting features, and is made of red brick with stone quoins, apart from the stone eastern wall; this may be a remnant of the former medieval priory.
Notable feature above the entrance.
The visit was part of our short tour of the West Lindsey Church Festival, which takes place over two weekends every May. More on this fascinating church to follow.
Apley’s church of Saint Andrew really is a little gem.
When we arrived there we were astonished to see just how small it was. There were cars outside, but was there really anyone inside? I mean, how many could you get in there?
Well, it turns out that, on occasion, there are up to 15 worshippers, and there are often christenings too. So as far as the Apley community and ourselves are concerned, small is beautiful.
Apley is a small hamlet between Lincoln and Horncastle, nestled in the gently rolling hills of north-central Lincolnshire, the historic riding of Lindsey that used to be a kingdom in its own right about thirteen hundred years ago.
That said, it was not too easy for us to find, but it’s well worth a visit. The church, for such a limited space, could boast many items of interest, see photographs.
And once more, we were treated royally by our hosts!
Cherry Willingham Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.
One of the most fascinating churches we visited during the West Lindsey Churches Festival this May, was at Cherry Willingham, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, a Grade 1 listed Georgian building.
Sitting at the highest point of the village, there are steep steps to the entrance. Suddenly you are confronted by a terrific example of Georgian architecture. From the west door entrance, you can see right through to a wonderful reredos resplendent behind the altar.
The quality of light was wonderful.
Once more we were greeted by very pleasant local people, who filled us in with all the salient historical and current facts.
Home made cakes and refreshments were on offer and there was a display of the charities the church supports.
Inside it was simply stunning.
Although quite small, what the building lacks in size it more than makes up for in style and detail.
It opened in 1753, its founder a certain Thomas Becke, who had bought an estate in the village. Inside there is a large marble monument to Mr Becke. The church is built with local Ancaster limestone, infused with fossils.
Most pleasing about the design of this small church is the quality of the light afforded by the style of windows (although our photographs possibly don’t quite do that justice), aided certainly by it being a sunny spring day, yet these large windows would surely afford good natural lighting on any cloudy day.
The reredos.
The volunteers told us that at present there is no toilet in the church – though that particular facility is arriving very soon. In the meanwhile, the very kind and courteous vicar took us to her nearby house so that we could perform that particular function!
This typifies the whole spirit we felt within the church, that of community and care. Thank you Cherry Willingham.
At times you can almost see the individuals, a bit like ghosts, who would once regularly use this door.
How would the local accent have sounded then, say in 1500? Would I have understood them? More to the point, would they understand me? I doubt it, but I have a liking for old church doors.
This north facing example bears all the marks of being very old, probably late medieval, but I could be wrong. Look
Which saint, one wonders, once stood here in this empty space?
The empty church spaces now vacated, were once inhabited by colourful saints, or other such noble individuals. These days it makes me sad.
I am not a Catholic, yet, somehow our culture seemed to be somewhat lessened by their disappearance during the Reformation.
I think we lost more than just colour and ceremony in our lives at the time; these events seriously hastened in the modern materialistic world, which despite its obvious benefits, has stripped us of all our innocence now.
Just like the monasteries, creators and supporters of communities, were dissolved and stripped of all their wealth which was then reduced to its base monetary value, we too over time seem to have been stripped to the core, spiritually.
That’s how I feel. I’m not saying I wish to convert – there are reasons why I would not – but we need to reclaim something from our past, to move one step back, if you will, before we can go two forward.
Sure it was a long time ago, I’ve never known anything different from bare stone and whitewashed walls – but just think how colourful our English churches once were, how rich the lives of the faithful must have been.
Ciscography 