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: 18th-19th May, Saturday 11am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4pm

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Swallow - Holy Trinity

Swallow - Holy Trinity
Copyright John Firth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Built over many centuries from 11th to 19th, Holy Trinity is a small village church with a traditional layout. This year’s theme will be the history of Swallow Village, with copies of that history on sale. 

Postcode: LN7 6DL click here to find on Google Maps

Visit our page on ExploreChurches here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/holy-trinity-swallow

Open: 20-21st May - Saturday 9am - 5pm • Sunday 9am - 5pm

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

Market Rasen - Holy Rood

Happy Birthday! 200 years old! While the original building was 1782, significant alterations were made in 1824 to form the structural layout of the church it is today. Come and join in our celebrations which include live performances of music, storytelling, a murder mystery, and a ghost story re the current haunted presbytery. Light refreshments are available. The Sixhills cope and centuries old books will be on display. Please do check Holy Rood website for the latest details.

Postcode: LN8 3BB click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 11-12th May - Saturday 10am - 3.30pm, Sunday 12.30pm - 4.30pm

Visit our page on ExploreChurches here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/holy-rood-market-rasen

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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Coates by Stow • St Edith

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

The glory of St Edith’s is its medieval woodwork. Magnificent rood screen with its loft and oak boarded tympanum dominates the church. It is the only surviving example in Lincolnshire. Please come and see our wonderful church mice.

Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity*

Almost every century has made a distinctive contribution to the structure, a testimony to the many people whose spiritual home it has been. Amazingly it escaped the ravages of the Reformation and rebellion, aided, no doubt by the moated situation. 

The Church is an architectural gem, an oasis of peace and serenity located in the midst of a busy, working farm. 

It is a living place of worship with regular services.

The church's own website can be found here: http://www.stedithscoates.co.uk/

Postcode: LN1 2DW click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 18th-19th May, Saturday 11am - 6pm • Sunday 9am - 6pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-edith-coates-stow

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

*Photo: Ashley Taylor, Push Creativity

Rothwell - St Mary Magdalene

Rothwell - St Mary Magdalene - Photo Richard Croft (Creative Commons License)

Major parts of the church date from the Norman period and the Anglican parish register dates from 1562. There are nine rich Norman arches in the nave.The tower was originally Saxon. The church was repaired and enlarged in 1849. Display of flowers.

 
Postcode: LN7 6BB, click here to find on Google Maps

Visit us on ExploreChurches here:

https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-mary-magdalene-rothwell

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

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

Brocklesby - All Saints

Brocklesby All Saints *

Brocklesby Church is situated in the stunning grounds of the Brocklesby Estate and features a 1773 organ restored by James Wyatt.

The 1773 Organ *

Church Postcode: DN41 8PN, click here to find on Google Maps.

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

* Photography 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.

Visit this church ExploreChurches here:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/all-saints-brocklesby

South Kelsey • St Mary

South Kelsey St Mary, photo by David Wright, source

St Mary’s church was originally built around 1228 and rebuilt in 1795 leaving the original tower in place. There are brass effigies of Sir Richard Hansard and his wife Joan from the 15th century. Exhibitions of local history. 

Postcode: LN7 6PH, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 11-12th May, Saturday 10.30am - 5pm • Sunday 10.30am - 5pm

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Holton le Moor • St Luke

Holton le Moor • St Luke. Photo J.Hannan-Briggs, source

A quiet church with many interesting features including Norman and 13th century. Unusually there are two altars and a number of family memorial tablets. Part of the special churchyard is set aside for God’s Acre. Exhibition and church heritage display. Refreshments are available.

Stained glass window, St Luke's church, Holton le Moor.
Photo J.Hannan-Briggs, source

Postcode: LN7 6AG, click here to find on Google Maps

Open: 9-10th May, Saturday 12noon-4pm • Sunday 12noon-5pm. 

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

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

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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

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

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

Willoughton • St Andrew

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

Apologies, this church is no longer open for the 2024 festival. 

Please check our 'Changes' page for other changes to the brochure:

churchesfestival.info/brochure-changes

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

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

Spridlington • St Hilary

Spridlington • St Hilary
(Photo by Brian, Creative Commons Link)

Enclosed by tall horse chestnut trees, St Hilary’s is an unusual late Victorian church designed by James Fowler of Louth in 1873. Look for the high tower with saddleback roof, the stained glass windows (particularly the Nativity scenes in the West window) and the Victorian woodwork in the chancel. The beautiful restored Thomas Nicholson organ is a point of interest.

Pipes of the restored Thomas Nicholson Organ

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

Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 11am - 4pm • Sunday 11am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-hilary-spridlington

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: 18-19th May, Saturday 10am - 5pm • Sunday 11am - 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)

Grade I listed St Genewys is a mainly 13th century church with the top of the tower in the later Perpendicular style. 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. Guided visits to our tower roof will be available if conditions allow, 2-4 pm on Saturday, or by arrangement.

 

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

Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 11am - 4pm • Sunday 11am - 4pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

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

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

Saxilby • St Botolph

Saxilby • St Botolph
(Photo by Brian, Creative Commons Link)

Predominantly 14th/15th century, the building has fine examples of other architectural styles over a period of 900 years, including a late 10th/early 11th century grave cover fragment and a small Norman doorway. 

Other things to discover include 14th century tomb chest supporting alabaster knight & lady figures, a fine Victorian William Hill organ, imposing 1935 Ninian Comper stained glass window and the pre-reformation ‘Saxilby (music) fragment’.

 

 

Visit the church's own website here http://www.saxilbyparishchurch.co.uk/

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

Open: 18-19th May, Saturday 10am - 5pm • Sunday 12noon - 5pm

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us ExploreChurches:
https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-botolph-saxilby

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

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.

Get Involved and Spread the Word!

Visit us on ExploreChurches:

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

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

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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.

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.